The annual Chinese Medicine Week was organised at the IMU Bukit Jalil campus by the Division of Chinese Medicine from 31 October to 2 November 2016. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and knowledge of Chinese Medicine to both the IMU community and the public. 
Students from seniors to juniors, with the guidance from the lecturers, worked hand-in-hand to ensure that this event is a success. Despite their busy schedules, all the students from every cohort actively helped out at the event. One of the major outcomes of this event is that it has strengthened the bond of Chinese Medicine students across different batches. 
It took a full month of careful planning to ensure that every aspect of the event is covered from budget and publicity right down to decorations, food and beverage and games. Whenever Chinese Medicine is mentioned, the theory of Yin Yang and Five Elements are always cited too. Because of that, this year’s decoration, which is a Yin Yang logo, has been created using rice and placed at the IMU Driveway, where the event took place. A life-sized three dimensional wording of “CM (short for Chinese Medicine) WEEK” was also created and placed next to the Yin Yang logo. Looking up from the logo, symbols of the Five Elements can be seen suspended mid-air, in between the pillars. Display boards with more than 100 self-made compartments, decorated with real herbs, formed an entrance leading into the other sections of the event. Some of the most common herbs were exhibited, along with the equipment used for Chinese Medicine therapies such as acupuncture, both vacuum and fire cupping, moxibustion and skin scraping. Each therapy on display had a written explanation for better understanding. A large statue with acupuncture points was also on display. Besides that, the exhibition also included information on basic theories and diagnostic methods. Students with sufficient qualification were on duty at the exhibition, where visitors can ask questions, or even test out some of the equipment under supervision. 
Throughout the 3-day event, senior students conducted demonstrations on fire cupping, moxibustion and skin scraping. One student acted as the simulated patient, another demonstrated the therapy, while a third student acted as the narrator, explaining the procedures and benefits of each method to the audience. After the demonstrations, the audience who were interested can even try out the therapy on the spot. Through this, people would know what is done in Chinese Medicine, and how it is done, clearing any doubts and suspicions that they once had. 
The food and beverage sold included herbal eggs, herbal jelly, soya jelly, osmanthus jelly, chrysanthemum and LuoHanGuo herbal tea. Each item had their benefits and medicinal functions clearly written and labelled. The most popular aspect of the Chinese Medicine Week each year is perhaps the tuina massage service, which includes cupping as well. Students assigned to provide this service had invested their time in learning and practicing the skills from their lecturers. Herbal plasters and massage creams were available for sale. Other services available include ear acupressure and diagnosis service. The games designed for the event were planned to provide further insight into Chinese Medicine, such as locating acupuncture points on the statue, recognising different herbs despite their similarities, knowing the herbs that are included in a herbal formula, and some easy Q&As.
Related Posts
