By Lee Siew Li/Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia



http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/208
262/1/.html


SINGAPORE : More Western-trained doctors in Singapore are keen on
learning acupuncture.

The response to the first Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture was so
overwhelming that the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine has had to run two classes to cater to those on the waiting list.

The diploma course only had 25 places, but twice the number of doctors
applied.

The overwhelming response reflects the rising popularity of traditional
Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Singapore.

Last year, the Health Ministry started allowing acupuncture in hospitals
and nursing homes to complement Western medical treatment.

Since then, most public and private hospitals have started offering the
service to their patients.

The latest to do so is the TCM oncology centre set up by the Ren-Ci
Hospital to help patients with advanced cancer cope with the pain.

Said Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan told the
doctors, "Cancer specialists should be aware that TCM can play a role
as a complementary treatment, particularly in advanced cancer
requiring palliative care. I am indeed heartened to note that so many of
you are keen to explore TCM and acupuncture as complementary
therapies in your medical practices. I hope that you will study this
ancient treatment modality with the same critical mind that you have
been trained in when you studied Western medicine."

Dr Balaji also hoped that in the course of their study and clinical
research, the doctors could identify specific chronic conditions where
patients and the ageing population could benefit from acupuncture. -
CNA /ct