Preserving Genuine Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong (2)

1950 Hong Kong Chinese doctor. (Figure │ network picture)

Real medicine will soon be gone

“Nowadays, medicine is integrative – not quite Western and not quite Eastern.”  Mr Yu believes that the government is forcing the development of Western medicine upon the Chinese medical system: “Half of the teachings are Chinese medicine and the other half are Western medicine.” Eventually, this will eradicate traditional Chinese medicine. We will have quasi-Chinese medicine. It is only about teaching others how to prepare the herbs or how to study the books, but without real clinical experience. Those who really understand diseases and are capable of treating them are few and far between. 

The ordinance became effective in 1999 and like Yu Hong Chao, many practitioners possess great knowledge and skills, but fail to meet the requirements in the regulations. It is why sometimes the disciples are registered medical practitioners, but the master is only a listed medical practitioner. According to the Chinese medical regulatory system, “a listed Chinese medical practitioner” cannot provide a document for sick leave or a prescription; his status is like a LPN in the nursing industry. Mr Yu is very concerned that traditional Chinese medicine will soon disappear for good, and unfortunately, 95 per cent of the citizens are unaware of this. 

Dr Yu believes that “real medicine” should be as follows. “One has genuine skills in Chinese medicine; there is a sincere intent to treat patients; there is sincerity to recommend the patients to other medical practitioners when one’s ability is limited.”

Mr Yu said: “If a practitioner can cure 6 out of 10 patients, he is a first-class medical practitioner. If he cures none or only one, he does not know how to cure diseases. If a doctor cannot cure illnesses, what good is he?’’ 

He added: “For example, I sent 10 patients to a practitioner and he cured them all. That is a first-class Chinese medical practitioner. A condition like ankylosing spondylitis is not treatable with Western medicine, but true Chinese medicine can help to improve the condition by more than 80 per cent.” 

“There are many good Chinese medical practitioners, but unfortunately, they have no certificates and cannot practice.” It is sad for Mr Yu to see many patients looking everywhere to find a real Chinese medicine practitioner, but who fail and have to suffer adverse consequences. 

“Genuine medical practitioners” have the goal to save people instead of making money. On the wall of Mr Yu’s clinic, his master’s teachings were clearly written: “Discount or free for the poor.”  He said that he must follow his master’s teachings, but he also lamented the moral decline of people nowadays so that some people would not even make a phone call to express their gratitude of thanks for curing an illness.”

Serving the community

According to statistics in 2010, Hong Kong ranked second in the world for average life expectancy. Mr Yu thinks that is because Hong Kong has true Chinese medical practitioners. Many other countries have better environments, food and air, but they cannot compare with Hong Kong. When Chinese medicine practitioners disappear, the life expectancy of Hong Kong will also decrease.”

In order to continue our ancestors’ thousands of years legacy of ancient Chinese medicine, Mr Yu set up the “Preserving the Ancient Chinese Medical Association”, a non-profit charitable organisation. He hopes to preserve and pass on the torch of 5000 years of pure Chinese medicine.

When the association was first set up, Mr Yu had black hair. Now, only a few years later, his hair has turned gray. It is hard work for an elderly physician to go to meetings and protest on the streets. An old Chinese medical practitioner cannot stay at home and enjoy life, for he needs to spread the news and serve the community.

For the last 10 years, physician Yu has always stood up to clarify distorted reports on Chinese medicine. He hopes that the residents of Hong Kong will appreciate the true value of Chinese medicine. He said: “Some diseases cannot be cured by Western medicine and life is definitely better with more options.”