International cooperation in support of homeopathy and complementary medicine in developing countries: the Tuscan experience

Abstract

Health is a fundamental human right which contributes to reducing poverty, and encourages social development, human safety, and economic growth. International initiatives have fallen far short of their goals. This paper describes collaboration between the region of Tuscany and Cuba, Western Sahara, Senegal and Serbia. These have introduced various forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, including homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine into primary healthcare particularly obstetrics, and into veterinary medicine. Complementary and traditional medicine can represent a useful and sustainable resource in various fields of health care. Inclusion in the public health system must go hand in hand with scientific evaluation.

Integration of Homeopathy and Complementary Medicine in the Tuscan Public Health System and the Experience of the Homeopathic Clinic of the Lucca Hospital

“…Among the most significant are the regional collaboration that led to the many initiatives listed in ►Supplementary Table 1 (Online only) and, in particular, the publication in Lucca of the regional bulletin of CMs, MC Toscana, since 2004. [22][23][24] In 2012, more than 500 Tuscan out-patient clinic specialists attended a 2-day informational workshop on the theoretical principles behind CM entitled, "The integration of clinic specialists in the development of a CM network in the Region of Tuscany," which took place in various editions in Florence, Arezzo, and Lucca. Additionally, three workshops on epigenetics were held: "The epidemiological revolution and epigenetics" (2014), "Genetics and epigenetics of cancer" (2016), and "From genetics to epigenetics" (2017).…”

Contemporary Homeopathy in Italy

“…Up until now, as said before, the experiences within the NHS were given rise, thanks to local initiatives or specific regional laws. We'd like to mention as renowned examples the Homeopathic Clinic in Lucca (Tuscany) active since 1998 5,6 and the Integrative Medicine Centre located in the Hospital of Pitigliano (Tuscany) since 2011.…”

Perceived Quality of Traditional Chinese Medicine Care in Community Health Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Hangzhou of China

“…TCM care involves a range of modalities such as acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine and therapeutic massage which have spread over the world widely. In the Tuscan Network of Integrative Medicine, for example, more than 75 public services offer acupuncture and herbal medicine [ 4 ]. TCM has played a pivotal role in the health system development in mainland China since the People's Republic of China was established [ 6 ].…”