RABAT, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- On the morning of a working day, a Chinese medical center in Moroccan port city of Mohammedia has already been filled with local patients.
Since 1986, Chinese doctors have been offering Chinese traditional medicine treatment in the coastal city. The dedication and excellent medical skills of Chinese doctors have made this two-floor building known to many Moroccans.
Zhuang Xiaojun, chief of Chinese medical team in Mohammedia, told Xinhua that their team is currently composed of two acupuncturists and one tuina doctor sent by three hospitals affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, receiving more than 1,000 patients per month.
Zhuang said that the patients who came for treatment mainly came from Mohammedia and surrounding cities, but some of them also came from Fez and Agadir, hundreds of kilometers away from Mohammedia.
In addition to daily consultations, doctors of the Mohammedia team also went to cities like Casablanca and Agadir to introduce the traditional Chinese medicine treatment to Moroccans, explaining to local people the mechanism and history of diagnosis and treatment, acupuncture and meridian theory.
According to statistics, Chinese doctors have offered acupuncture treatment to more than 1 million Moroccan patients over 33 years.
Zhuang said that the Chinese doctor's contribution has been recognized by the local people.
"When we go to the streets, local residents often greet us warmly," Zhuang added.
According to Zhuang, as Mohammedia is near the sea, many local fishermen suffered from rheumatism, joint pain and stiffness while lots of housewives suffered from sciatica.
Local hospitals usually recommend them to receive acupuncture and tuina treatment in Chinese medical center. After treatment, most of their symptoms were significantly relieved.
Ahmed Dhoum, 71-year-old Moroccan who has trouble walking because of severe knee osteoarthritis, could not live without a cane.
After acupuncture treatment for five times in Mohammedia team, Dhoum's symptoms were relieved.
"I have tried other treatment before but it didn't work. After acupuncture treatment, my condition has changed a lot. I don't need to rely on a crutch for short distance walking," he said.
Eric Arnoux, 50, is an old friend of the Chinese medical team. Arnoux told Xinhua that as a big fan of surfing, skydiving and other extreme sports, he had suffered from cervical spondylosis and lumbar muscle strain since his early twenties.
He came to Chinese doctors of Mohammedia team more than 20 years ago and was very satisfied with the curative effect.
For more than 20 years, Arnoux has witnessed the dedication of Chinese doctors and has become a fan of Chinese culture and Chinese medicine.
He likes to discuss the "Yin and Yang theory" with Chinese doctors and is interested in the consultation of Chinese medicine practitioners.
"The Mohammedia team has brought benefits to many Moroccan patients. I hope that the Chinese medicine center in Mohammedia continue to treat more Moroccans," Arnoux said.
