Prof. Tu Ya, of the School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, has lobbied for years to raise charges for acupuncture and moxibustion.

"According to the Beijing health department, a patient is charged 4 yuan (US$0.59) per visit to an acupuncture doctor. The charge has not changed in 20 years," says Tu.

She does not suggest a new amount, but says the charge should increase with the level of incomes and inflation.

"The charge for acupuncture treatment is covered by the state medical insurance so raising the price does not mean increasing the financial burden on patients. A reasonable charge shows respect and recognition of the knowledge and work of the acupuncture doctors."

She also questions whether it is appropriate to evaluate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion according to Western medical standards.

Western medicines are evaluated by clinical tests on a large number of samples whose results are repeatable, Tu says.

"Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is more customized. We believe every patient is unique and the treatment will be unique. The same symptoms on different patients may lead to different diagnoses and treatments, which is very hard to evaluate by the Western approach."

The Western approach should be retained, but adjusted to suit the nature of Chinese medicine, she says. "The development of a universal medicine should not build on the obliteration of styles of traditional and local medicine."

Dr. Zhao wants the government to increase investment in Chinese medicines.

"If being an acupuncture doctor meant a decent life and relatively good income, more young people will join this vocation," she said. "It depends on more investment in hospitals and medical schools of traditional medicine."

More efforts should be made to coordinate the use of traditional and modern medicine, she says.

"The two sides should give up bias. Every school of medicine has its advantages and disadvantages. We should exploit the advantages of all schools to treat each patient."

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2010)