HEALTH PRACTITIONER ATTENDS HEALTH CONGRESS IN CUBA
June 30, 2000
Njideka N. Olatunde, ND, Ph.D., Naturopathic Healthcare Consultant, was invited to represent the African American community at the 3rd International Congress of Natural/Traditional and Bio-Energetic Medicine in Holguin, Cuba. Dr. Olatunde, who is a renowned leader, educator, author and researcher in the field of complementary healthcare in the African American community, shared and exchanged healthcare information with medical practitioners and scholars from the Caribbean, China, Africa, Canada, Europe, South and Central America. Dr. Olatunde's expertise in Reflexology, which is used as a treatment modality in China and Caribbean healthcare, open the doors for the sharing of clinical results and techniques with reflexology practitioners attending the congress. In Cuba reflexology is used with great success in sleeping disorders and pain management for the elderly. Dr. Olatunde's book, Reflexology Today: A Family Affair, was highly requested because of the reflexology techniques used on children and the elderly.

The focus of the Congress included lectures, round table discussions, and workshops. Some of the topics addressed where Asian Traditional Medicine; Homeopathy; Magnetic Therapy; Yoga; Chiropractic; Organic Agriculture and Nutrition; Medicinal Mud Therapy; Aromatherapy; Acupuncture-Induced Anesthesia in Medical and Dental Surgery; Natural/Traditional Medicine in Medical School Curriculum; Ozone Therapy; and Scientific Research and Methodology in Natural and Traditional Medicine.

While in Cuba, Dr. Olatunde visited a Natural Medical Clinic to observe in/out-patient services. She was asked to provide information and demonstration how reflexology is used as a treatment modality. A visit to the Medical University, where youth between the ages of 12-16 are beginning their medical career training, are taught healthcare prevention and how to use homeopathy remedies . These young people grow medicinal herbs, prepare and administer herbs for specific health problems. "This was a heart felt experience and the high point of my trip," says Dr. Olatunde, who teaches a reflexology youth apprenticeship training program. Dr. Olatunde states that, "Cuba is a country with so little and has achieved so much with outstanding results and success. They have low infant mortality; no drug addictions; outstanding preventive healthcare approaches and programs that emphasis education with application and support. Seeing the health and education systems in Cuba, reminds me of those same systems that once existed in the African American community, during a time when health and education was a valuable family resource."

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