First Sindh doctors begin TCM training in China to boost Pakistan-China healthcare ties

First group of Sindh doctors begins traditional Chinese medicine training in China

ISLAMABAD: The first group of doctors from Sindh has arrived in China to begin specialized training in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), marking a major milestone in Pakistan-China healthcare collaboration.

The opening ceremony took place on Monday at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, where six Pakistani doctors — nominated by the government of Sindh — commenced their advanced clinical and academic training. The program is supported by Hunan University of Medicine and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, with the goal of building capacity for specialized TCM practice in Pakistan.

Coordinator general of OIC-COMSTECH and guest of honor, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, hailed the program as a new chapter in the growing Pakistan-China partnership in healthcare and traditional medicine. He praised Prof. Dr. Xinmin Liu for his pivotal role in establishing the China-Pakistan Joint Center for Traditional Medicine, initiating joint research projects, and expanding training opportunities.

Dr. Choudhary highlighted that ongoing collaborations — backed by NATCM and COMSTECH — include technician and post-doctoral training, space medicine research, AI applications in biomedical sciences, and joint projects with leading Chinese institutions. He also credited Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and the provincial government for their commitment to sending doctors abroad for specialized training, which he said will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery back home.

He noted that Pakistan and China, now celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations, share a rich heritage of traditional healing systems — TCM and Unani — that can be effectively integrated with modern, evidence-based healthcare to benefit communities.

Other speakers at the event included Mr. He Qinghu, president of Hunan University of Medicine; Mr. Yin Shengxin, first secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan; Mr. Khan Muhammad Wazir, science and technology counsellor at the Pakistani Embassy in China; Mr. Tan Hu, secretary of the First Affiliated Hospital; Mr. Hu Sha, faculty representative; Mr. He Ke, director of the comprehensive department, Hunan Provincial Administration of TCM; and Dr. Dabeer Ahmed Khan, representing the trainees.

Distinguished attendees also included Mr. Tian Xuefei, director of the International Exchange Office at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine; Mr. Du Qiaobei from Ningbo University’s New Drug Technology Research Institute; senior scientists; and faculty members from both universities.

Concluding the ceremony, Dr. Choudhary expressed gratitude to the leadership of both institutions for their dedication to advancing health sciences cooperation and reaffirmed COMSTECH’s commitment to supporting people-focused, high-impact collaboration between Pakistan and China.

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