Reviving the Cupping Therapy “Al-hijama” through the Frame Work of Developing Health Care Tourism in Egypt

Abstract

In the recent years, World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the practice of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) due to its wide health benefits, safety and minimal side-effects compared to chemical agents. People either in developed or developing countries prefer this kind of medicine for several reasons. The health authorities in many countries recognize the importance of traditional medicine in the provision of health care and have initiated efforts to promote and ensure the safe practice of TCM. This research sheds light on the Cupping therapy "Al-Hijama" as an important field of Traditional & Complementary Medicine and/or Arabic medicine. World Health Organization works with the countries to develop policies most appropriate for their situations. The cupping therapy may be used separately or as a synergistic line of treatment with pharmacotherapy. However, the Ebres papyrus describes how cupping therapy was practicing in ancient Egypt 1550 B.C. The study analyses the current status of the cupping therapy in Egypt. Primary data comes from interviews with managerial officials at the Egyptian ministry of health & population and questionnaires were sent to specialist doctors in the physical therapy to know their opinions, participations, and recommendation towards this matter. Whereas the cupping therapy was one of the famous medical therapies in ancient Egypt, findings of the interviews show that the Cupping therapy "Al-Hijama" is facing sharp antagonism from the Egyptian ministry of health and population. It is practiced through illegal framework by doctors at private clinic or even illiterate persons at homes. The majority of respondents to the questionnaire argued that the bureaucracy and the governmental constraints are the main challenges they face. The Egyptian government has to revive practicing cupping therapy "Al-Hijama" as a creative solution for developing health care tourism. The tourism promotion for this type of treatment in Egypt should focus on providing a safe and authentic experience that dated back thousands years ago.