WINDHOEK, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Acupuncture Clinic at Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is combining acupuncture with traditional Chinese exercise methods to help improve the health of local residents.
For years, Cecilia Mundida from Windhoek suffered severe pain, sleepless nights and limited mobility. After conventional treatments failed, she was referred to the Chinese Acupuncture Clinic.
"When I started coming here towards the end of 2025, I was in so much pain. After a few sessions, I could sleep without pain. I am really happy that the Chinese medical team is here to help us," she said.
Dr. Huang Qin, head of the 16th batch of the China Medical Team in Namibia, introduced Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese exercise, to complement acupuncture treatments.
Baduanjin is an ancient Chinese Qigong exercise consisting of eight simple, flowing movements that combine slow motions and controlled breathing to promote health and vitality without the need for equipment, Huang said.
Huang said he first applied the method while volunteering at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
"My main work was introducing traditional Chinese medicine, including Baduanjin, to journalists from various countries and officials of the Asian Games Organizing Committee, which was very well received. I then saw it as appropriate to introduce it to Namibia," he said.
Local residents widely accept acupuncture and Baduanjin as gentle and noninvasive therapies.
Elias Simon brought his father, who had suffered a stroke, to the clinic.
"Indeed, traditional Chinese medicine is a unique way to restore health to those who lost hope. I can only say thank you to the Chinese medical team," Simon said.
The Chinese Medical Team also uses downtime in the outpatient clinic to guide patients in group practice of Baduanjin.
"Modern research shows this method of Baduanjin to be highly beneficial for health. We lead patients to practice together during clinic downtime," Huang said.
"We also printed a QR code and posted it on the wall for patients to scan and learn on their own."
This approach, along with music therapy, complements acupuncture treatments, and many patients have reported improvements.
Some patients even travel long distances for treatment. Mmakau Garoes, 27, came from South Africa with her grandmother.
"This is her second session, and her condition has improved. It is evidence of the hope China brings to Namibia," she said.
Huang said the clinic has developed into a center for quality health care over the years.
"We have seen growing demand for traditional Chinese medicine, mainly acupuncture, integrated with other suitable techniques like cupping," he said.
Since September 2024, the team has treated more than 16,000 patients, setting a new record for the number of patients seen in a single day.
"After completing the handover from the 15th batch, our team saw 126 patients on the morning of September 25, 2024, which I believe is a remarkable achievement," Huang said.
Chinese medical teams have worked in Namibia since 1996 and will mark 30 years of service in April 2026.
The current team, which began work in 2024, consists of four members: two acupuncture specialists and two traditional medicine nursing specialists. The team also provides public health services, health education and free community clinics.
Huang said the team supports local resources and works to improve access to health care while building partnerships with local organizations.
"Against the backdrop of increasingly close relations between China and Namibia, the dispatch of Chinese doctors to Namibia to provide medical services is a vivid practice of China-Africa medical and health cooperation," Huang said.
Professor Jairos Kangira, a Namibian academic, said the health cooperation reflects long-standing ties. "It serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, enabling interaction and yielding tangible benefits for the people in Namibia," Kangira said. ■