Integrative Healthcare?

image depicts traditional Chinese herbs

A central element in the retreat is the value of integrative healthcare. This means the best of both worlds: a vision where Complementary healthcare disciplines like Shiatsu, Sei-Ki and TCM are a partner of a allopathic healthcare and vice versa.

Did you know that the World Health Organisation adopted a new policy called the Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034. It was adopted in 2025 by the 78th World Health Assembly. It aims to integrate traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) into health systems globally.

The strategy focuses on four key objectives:

1. strengthening the evidence base for TCIM,

2. ensuring its safety and effectiveness through regulation,

3. integrating it into health systems, and

4. optimizing its cross-sectoral value while empowering communities. 

   
   

Key Aspects of the Strategy:

• Evidence-Based Approach:

  The strategy emphasizes the need for robust scientific evidence to support the integration of TCIM practices into healthcare. 

• Regulatory Frameworks:

  It calls for the development of appropriate regulatory mechanisms to ensure the safety and quality of TCIM products and services. 

• Integration into Health Systems:

  The strategy promotes the inclusion of TCIM within national health plans and policies, alongside conventional medicine. 

• Cross-Sectoral Collaboration:

  It recognizes the importance of collaboration across various sectors, including health, environment, and agriculture, to maximize the benefits of TCIM. 

• Community Empowerment:

  The strategy aims to empower communities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, including the appropriate use of TCIM. 

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The strategy is to be further refined and implemented through national action plans and collaboration between the WHO member states.

It is in this spirit that we organise this retreat. The lectures in the mornings on women's health issues will be held by a doctor and by a shiatsu, sei-Ki and TCM point of view.

We consider this a the way forward for healthcare - where the best of both worlds get to know each other better and learn to co-operate effectively for the benefit of all patients/clients.