72 Students Are Studying in Traditional Medicine

Faculty of Traditional Medicine at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences is one of the most accomplished faculties in Medicine in Iran.

Admitting interested students in this field every year, it seeks to provide them with ideal Traditional Medicine services.

In an interview with Dr. Jalil Tavakol Afshar, Dean of Faculty of Traditional Medicine at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, WEBDA attempted to introduce this faculty to students more.

Dr. Afsahr said that in a partnership with Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Shahed University, the faculty received permit of admitting PhD students from Ministry of Health six years ago.

Faculty of Traditional Medicine Has 72 PhD Students

“Admitting four PhD students, the faculty began its activity and currently, 72 students are studying there.”

“The students enrolled in Traditional Medicine must pass General Medicine course. They must, also, successfully pass an entrance exami in Iranian Traditional Medicine conducted by Ministry of Health.”

“In the last two years, permit of admitting totally three specialist PhD assistants has been given to the faculty by Ministry of Health. However, Faculty of Traditional Medicine in Mashhad could admit 8 to 10 students.”

“The faculty has 14 Faculty Members in departments of Iranian Traditional Medicine as well as Complimentary and Chinese Medicine,” Dr. Afshar said.

“Unfortunately, despite having knowledgeable faculty members, Complimentary and Chinese Medicine field has not received permit of enrolling student by Ministry of Health,” he added.

Two Departments Have 14 Faculty Members

Dean of Faculty of Traditional Medicine noted, “From 14 Faculty Members, eight one are active in Iranian Traditional Medicine and six ones in Chinese Medicine.”

“The faculty, currently, is located in Pardis, featuring some space of 1,500 m².Its building has professors’ offices, library, conference hall as well as offices for male and female students.”

“In regard to the number of students, this space is ideal and the faculty has computer classes, virtual websites and a rich library for Traditional Medicine.”

Referring to the laboratory equipment at the faculty, Dr. Afshar maintained, “Laboratories of the faculty are equipped with primary facilities to extract plants as well as to study the effects of certain vegetation factors useful in treatment.”

“Faculty Members of Faculty of Traditional Medicine cooperate with other centers including Pharmacology Center and Bu-Ali Research Institute at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in order to use their laboratory facilities as well as to save costs.”

Special Clinics for Iranian and Chinese Traditional Medicine Have Been Launched

Referring to Traditional Medicine students visiting patients, Dr. Afshar added, “A special clinic for Traditional Medicine has been launched at Imam Reza Hospital.”

“Here, professors along with assistants visit patients and they also do cupping and leech therapy,” he held noting that, “Also, in Mashhad, there are two healthcare centers, called Tanin-e Tandorosti and Khosh Ghalb-e Toos, active in Traditional Medicine; they cooperate with the private sector.”

Assistants for Iranian Traditional Medicine Can Work at Healthcare Centers

“Having successfully passed Comprehensive Exam for Basic Sciences, assistants and students of the faculty can work at healthcare centers.”

“The programs for the new students are organized by Management of Education Affairs at the university. Also, the faculty will organize a meeting to introduce them the clinics and healthcare centers.” 

“The students of Iranian Traditional Medicine must study between two and six years,” he said, adding, “Till now, six students have been graduated from the faculty and in the next few months, other eight students will. The latters are now expecting their dissertation-based papers to be published.”

Career Future of Traditional Medicine Is Promising

Saying that career future of students of Traditional Medicine is promising, he stated that in regard to lack of specialists in this field, career future for assistants of Traditional Medicine is very good.

“The four-to-eight-year commitment period for Traditional Medicine students has been reduced to two years by Ministry of Health,” he said, maintaining, “Work conditions for these students are similar to those of Modern Medicine.”

“As long as we have Traditional Medicine specialists, we will be able to launch six healthcare centers.”

Students of the Faculty Must Pass Theoretical and Research Units 

“Students at Faculty of Traditional Medicine must pass 24 to 26 theoretical units and also take an Basic Science Exam. Having passed it, they could enter research course and do research on their dissertation, which has 18 to 24 units.”

“We attempt to admit students of Iranian Traditional Medicine from Medical students enrolled in Internship before their graduation. Entering field of Iranian Traditional Medicine, these students will not have to complete Modern Medicine field.”

“They pass four major medical courses including Medicine for Women, Pediatrics, Internship and Surgery. Then, they enter field of Traditional Medicine and simultaneously, study in either Basic Science or Clinical Science.”

“Faculty of Traditional Medicine is ready to admit two MDPHD students,” Dr. Afshar said, concluding, “In regard to the significance of Traditional Medicine, I advise the students to study hard in their special field so that they could discover its philosophy.”