Tzu Chi has partnered with the medical department of a local university in Mozambique to offer acupuncture courses every Saturday. | Photo: Da Ai Video

In 2019, Cyclone Idai devastated Beira, the second-largest city in Mozambique. In the wake of the disaster, Tzu Chi Foundation held a large-scale free clinic in the hallway of the Catholic University of Mozambique (UCM), providing comfort to countless survivors. Seven years later, the connection forged during that tragedy has evolved into a deeper commitment. Tzu Chi has once again partnered with UCM to launch Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture courses, sowing the seeds of professional training in a nation where medical resources are critically scarce.

A needle for hope in a medical vacuum

"Does it hurt when you walk?" a practitioner asks. "I feel great, very relaxed!" a patient responds. Inside the classrooms of UCM, what looks like a series of small miracles is taking place. Through thin silver needles, long-term aches and pains are finding relief. This ancient wisdom from the East has impressed local officials, including Graciana, the Director of the Beira Health Department, who experienced the treatment firsthand.

I feel very good and comfortable now. After the acupuncture, I feel as if a great weight has been lifted.
—Graciana, the Director of the Beira Health Department

The immediate results have sparked significant interest among UCM faculty and students, leading to a surge in applications for the course. Assiate Marlene, a medical student, shared her motivation: "I had seen acupuncture on television before. Now that I have the opportunity to learn it, I want to step outside the existing framework of my studies."

Another student, Thai Chiulissuane, sees the potential for integration. "I am very interested in Chinese medicine because it can be combined with modern Western medicine," Chiulissuane explained. For these students, the course represents more than just curiosity; it is a new vision for their future medical careers.

Cheng Yi-che (鄭宜哲) (center), a TCM practitioner from Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, uses acupuncture needles during a 2019 clinic in Maputo. Seven years later, this bond continues to create new possibilities for healthcare. | Photo: Mei-Ling Chang (張美齡)

Empowering local caretakers

This initiative is specifically designed to address the practical challenges of the local healthcare system. Director Graciana noted that if students master these skills, they will be able to serve a vast number of people once they return to their home communities.

Pi-Yu Lin (林碧玉), Vice President of the Tzu Chi Foundation, noted that this is a pioneering project in Mozambique. It offers a professional path for "wandering doctors"—medical graduates who struggle to find employment due to limited government positions in hospitals. By equipping them with TCM skills, they can establish themselves as vital healthcare providers in underserved areas.

The TCM courses attract many UCM faculty and students. The program enables medical graduates to serve their communities, providing a career path for those who cannot find positions in the limited local hospital system. | Photo: Da Ai Video

To ensure the practical effectiveness of the curriculum, a team led by John Situ (司徒祖恩), Principal of the Tzu Chi International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada, traveled to Mozambique for an academic exchange. He emphasized a hands-on approach to learning.

Setting aside all theory for a moment, we must first cultivate their ability to perform treatments so they can go directly into the communities or villages and start working."
— John Situ, Principal of Tzu Chi International College of TCM

This pragmatic teaching philosophy aims to turn students into immediate guardians of health. From the initial relief clinics of 2019 to the formal TCM academy of today, Tzu Chi’s journey in Mozambique remains focused on sustainable solutions. It is more than just providing aid; it is about providing the tools for self-sufficiency. Each graduate represents a seed of hope, ready to blossom into better health and peace of mind across the landscape of Mozambique.

Written by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷)