Draft:Ceylon Association of Medical Acupuncturists
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Ceylon Association of Medical Acupuncturists (CAMA)
The Ceylon Association of Medical Acupuncturists (CAMA) is a self-regulatory body for the practice of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Sri Lanka. Established in 2022, CAMA aims to maintain high professional standards and provide exceptional patient treatment in the field of medical acupuncture.[1].
History
Medical acupuncture was introduced to Sri Lanka by Professor Anton Jayasuriya in 1974, after he received a scholarship from the Government of Sri Lanka and the World Health Organization to study acupuncture in China[2]. However, there was no government-authorized regulatory body for acupuncture practitioners in Sri Lanka.
To address the issue of unregulated acupuncture and TCM malpractice, a group of medical acupuncturists who graduated from recognized universities took the initiative to form CAMA. The inaugural general meeting was held on July 21, 2022, with 17 members participating.
Objectives
CAMA's mission is to establish and maintain the highest professional standards for medical acupuncture and TCM practice in Sri Lanka. The association aims to:
- Provide educational excellence and exceptional patient treatment
- Raise knowledge regarding medical acupuncture and TCM in Sri Lanka
- Advocate on behalf of acupuncture and TCM professionals
- Maximize opportunities for graduates of medical acupuncture and TCM in the healthcare sector[3]
Regulation and Advocacy
In 2022, CAMA requested the Minister of Health to intervene in establishing a regulatory framework for the acupuncture sector in Sri Lanka. CAMA President Vimukthi Asahara emphasized the importance of a system to ensure the quality of acupuncture practice. He noted that similar institutions in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia have collaborated with health authorities to enhance the credibility and acceptance of acupuncture[4].
Potential for Growth
Acupuncture practitioners believe that streamlining the sector could attract foreign tourists and generate significant foreign exchange revenue for Sri Lanka. They suggest that the government should introduce related study programs at universities and establish a regulatory body similar to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to register qualified professionals. The State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Sisira Jayakody, expressed readiness to discuss the issues with acupuncture practitioners and provide a solution, potentially by merging the sector with homoeopathic medicine[5]