Doctor touts TCM as effective treatment for disease patients

In the past month, Cai Zehao has prepared the largest amount of traditional Chinese medicine in his eight years as a pharmacist.

Cai, 30, who works at the Sixth Hospital of Wuhan, has prepared medicine for over 1,000 novel coronavirus patients since January.

"TCM plays a big part in the treatment of the novel coronavirus epidemic," said Cai, wearing a light blue mask, protective cap and white coat. "I feel especially proud that patients are recovering with our help."

He estimated that his team has made 18 metric tons of medicine, the equivalent of a full 7-meter truck.

Founded in 1952, the Sixth Hospital enjoys a reputation for treating basic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. It also brought in TCM experts to provide acupuncture, Chinese medicine and healthy lifestyles for patients.

As early as Jan 12, the hospital mobilized a TCM department to prepare preventive medicine for staff to improve their immunity and prevent infection, according to Cai.

With tens of thousands of people infected in the following days and the absence of effective western medicine, TCM has been effective in treating patients, Cai said.

In accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Plan for Novel Coronavirus Epidemic, issued by the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the experts select different prescriptions to treat patients in mild, moderate, severe or critical condition.

The Sixth Hospital has received around 1,000 patients since Jan 13, and Cai's team is responsible for supporting doctors fighting on the front line.

"They are medicines that save lives," Cai said.

Cai's wife is a nurse in another hospital that also treats novel coronavirus patients. The couple had to entrust their 2-year-old son to their parents in their hometown.

"Sometimes my wife and I are too exhausted to have dinner after work at night. We have to rest for a while before we have the strength to eat," he said.

Cai said he would stick to his post until the battle against the virus was won.

He also noted that the hospital is preparing free consultations.

"There are still a lot of people suffering from fear of the virus," he said. "We hope to share with them the common knowledge about the novel coronavirus and the healthy lifestyle that TCM promotes."

Yu Hang and Li Jia contributed to this story.