The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Traditional Medicine have created an Acupuncture Certificate Course in order to educate and spread awareness on the benefits of treating patients through acupuncture.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the reciting of anthems of Sri Lanka and Korea along with the ayurvedic song which was later followed by the lightning of the traditional oil lamp. The notable participants of the program were Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Health Ms. Kumari Weerasekara, KOICA Country Director Ms. Kim Myungjin, KOICA Senior Manager – Volunteer Division Mr. Bae Hyun-Geun, Korean Clinic Medical Facilitator Dr. Kang Sukhong, Ayurveda Commissioner for the Department of Ayurveda Dr. M.D.J Abeygunawardena, Director of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine Mr. Wimarshana Chathuranga and Korean Clinic Coordinator Dr. S.M.U.C.K Samarakoon.
Mr. Chathuranga commenced the inauguration ceremony by acknowledging the presence of all dignitaries and the audience that was present. He stated that the certificate course would give doctors and physicians an opportunity to expand their horizon on learning the art of ayurvedic medicine and the whereabouts of its benefits. Dr. Samarakoon expressed his view of traditional Korean medicine to be popular in Sri Lanka since its inception in 2003 and elaborated on the conduct of Korean acupuncture treatment in the clinic making use of the traditional medicinal system which was in use in Sri Lanka in the ancient times combining with improved traditional Korean oriental medicine systems. “The Korean Government donated this clinic through the Korean International Cooperation Agency. In addition to that the third year and fourth year students of the Indigenous Medicine Institute are also being taught Korean medicine at this Korean clinic,” he said.
Ms. Kim Myungjin stressed on the strong bilateral relations that existed between the two countries and expanded on the benefits of Sri Lankan ayurvedic medicine noting the similarities to Korean Traditional Medicine. She further stated that the establishment of the Korean Clinic back in 2003 provided knowledge along with know-how factors for further development. The acupuncture certificate course would not only provide professional qualifications for career development in ayurvedic medicine, but it will also allow for new opportunities for doctors and practitioners to learn and practice the art of ayurvedic medicine along with its many treatment methods that can be disseminated towards the community.
Following this, Dr. Kang Sukhong graced the audience by speaking about his journey to becoming a medical practitioner in Sri Lanka. He joined the Korean Clinic as a volunteer in 2013 and later worked towards becoming a medical practitioner and helping the community. He stated that Sri Lankan ayurvedic medicine is quite similar to that found in Korea and China. This he believes makes it easy for one to practice. During the economic crisis he mentioned that even though Sri Lanka’s main focus of economic growth was through tourism, he claims that the development of medicine can also aid in boosting the economy.
Lastly, Ms. Kum ari Weerasekara shed positivity and potential towards the growth of the program and know-how of ayurvedic medicine. She explained how traditional medicine became pivotal in saving lives during the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. Many doctors did not know but ayurvedic medicine did in fact aid in curing patients and making their lives return to normalcy. In addition to this, she was committed to assisting with the facilitation of the course and advised doctors to share their inputs on how the course could be further developed.
The certificate course would come into effect by this week and the first lecture would commence today as informed by Mr. Chathuranga. Furthermore, he stated that the course will be held one day of the week and steps will be taken later on to include a session during the weekend after a consensus between the participants is reached.
