2nd World Congress Integrative Medicine and Health in Rome

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NVA chairman Harm Elsinga was present at this large and important international congress in Rome. This congress showed that integrative medicine is gaining ground and is taking a full-fledged place in healthcare worldwide. Despite a large number of wonderful initiatives by, among others, Dr. Ines von Rosenstiel, also present in Rome, the Netherlands is lagging behind when it comes to the integration of conventional and complementary medicine. It is high time that the Dutch government adopts a more positive attitude towards the complementary field. A powerful message from Rome!

Congress with WHO status
The opening ceremony of the congress took place in the beautiful parliament building of Italy. Elsinga was one of the 200 invitees. Via a video connection, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanam Ghebreyesus opened the congress. Also present at the congress was Dr. Sungchol Kim from Korea, a medical biologist and director of the WHO's Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Unit. A clear sign of the status of the congress! 

High level, positive atmosphere
Doctors, researchers, and experts from 50 countries and all continents discussed research strategies and shared clinical experiences on topics such as epigenetics, organizing healthcare, and the development of integrative medicine. About 500 speakers gave concise lectures in the plenary hall and in ten surrounding rooms to an audience of over 800 visitors. Elsinga: "The level was high, the atmosphere extremely positive, and the participants were driven and serious. New initiatives were born and networks were forged during the congress. It was an impressive event."

Acupuncture and more
Participants from mainstream healthcare effortlessly mingled with representatives from the field of acupuncture/TCM, Tai-Chi and Qi-Gong, Tuina, osteopathy, herbs, Ayurveda, yoga, nutrition, homeopathy, art therapy, and more. Oncology and integrative medicine received a lot of attention, but also research into alternatives for, for example, antibiotics and other mainstream medication. When choosing integrative medicine, the emphasis is on effectiveness, in addition to the safety of an intervention.

Traditional and Modern Complementary Medicine
Integrative medicine is an effective, sustainable, and respectful resource for humans and the environment. This congress clearly shows that integrative medicine is the future. The WHO rightly indicated that the term 'Traditional Complementary Medicine' is evolving towards 'Modern Complementary Medicine'.
This inspiring congress gives hope for the health of people, now and in the future!

* Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes that are not found in the DNA. Recent epigenetic research has shown that an unhealthy lifestyle of an individual can have negative consequences for the health of future generations.