THE INSPIRATIONAL LIFE OF PROFESSOR MAN FONG MEI

Professor Man Fong Mei was born in the small village of Taishan in Guangdong, China in 1946 and spent his adolescent years living in Hong Kong. At the age of 16 he moved to London and studied Physics at Kings College, London. He was determined to dedicate himself to integrating into British life and married Swiss born, Monika Mei, and had three children. He became passionate about spreading ideas from his homeland to the West and founded EAST ASIA BOOKS & ARTS in London, selling books on East Asian art and philosophy.

With his scientific background, Professor Mei took a special interest in the field of medicine and channelled his passion for East-West exchange into the promotion of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in the UK. In 1972 he founded ACUMEDIC LTD to pioneer the sale of acupuncture equipment and academic books on the subject.

Professor Mei invented the world’s first disposable traditional acupuncture needle at a time when the practice of acupuncture with reusable needles began to generate controversy spurred by hepatitis B cross-infection and the risk of AIDS and HIV infections. This invention revolutionised Chinese Medicine. Professor Mei went on to design amongst the first micro-processor electro-acupuncture and TENS apparatuses that further changed the face of Chinese Medicine.

AcuMedic quickly became ‘the famous name in Chinese Medicine’, supplying acupuncturists worldwide. As the popularity of acupuncture in the West began to rise, Professor Mei found himself at the centre of an ever-growing market. His pioneering approach to modernising Chinese Medicine continued as he developed the innovative TCM Classic range of capsulated Chinese herbal extracts, systematically combining the most commonly used Chinese Medicine formulae into a convenient capsule for prescription.

In 1982, Professor Mei opened the world renowned ACUMEDIC CLINIC in London, offering clinical services to the general public. He was dedicated to offering people the highest standards of Chinese Medicine by sourcing only the best Professors from China and premium quality Chinese herbs. The clinic was an immediate success, attracting prestigious patients such as the late Princess Diana and other leading figures. It continues to be a flagship clinic for Chinese Medicine in Europe treating over 50,000 patients since opening.

Though a successful business man, Professor Mei’s true passion lay with education and bridging East and West. He became a visiting professor of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Professor of Integrative Medicine at the Guangxi Medical University as well as Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, involving himself in numerous research projects and clinical practices for nearly two decades. His clinical specialization included syndrome acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, TENS, laser-acupuncture, ear acupuncture and modern Chinese herbal pharmacology.

As a passionate integrator of medicine between East and West for over four decades, Professor Man Fong Mei was actively involved in many leading academic and clinical institutions pioneering for a global integrative model for medicine.

In 1992, he founded the Chinese Medical Institute and Register (CMIR, UK), in association with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and leading academic institutions in China, dedicated to pushing forward higher standards in Chinese medicine and to offer a range of academic courses and qualifications in syndrome acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for doctors and healthcare professionals. Over 300 doctors and healthcare professionals have graduated from CMIR courses, providing a strong base for the future of authentic and forward thinking Chinese Medicine. The CMIR continues its valuable work.

As a public servant, Professor Mei was passionate about modernizing and protecting Chinese Medicine in the West. He was a stakeholder in the MHRA consultation process on the EC Directive relating to Traditional Herbal Medicine and was appointed by the UK Department of Health as a member of the Joint Regulatory Working Group on CAM under the Chairmanship of Professor Pittilo. He was also an active member of the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Working Group.

Professor Mei worked tirelessly to protect the public from the marginalization of Chinese Medicine and was deeply passionate about issues relating to international medical policies, development, clinical governance and medical integration. He was awarded with the prestigious honour of becoming the European chairman of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. He also became the chairman of the CMC (Chinese Medical Council), dedicated to bringing the Chinese Medicine community together, in order to present a united front in the ever evolving legislation of Chinese Medicine. At the end of 2013, he was invited to participate in a working group organised by the Department of Health to advise the Government on suitable implementation of herbal medicine legislation. He promised to help find a correct and fair solution for both the practitioners and consumers.

Professor Mei continued his tireless work to encourage harmony and communication between East and West. He returned to his physics background, immersing himself in quantum physics and new science, and its application to Chinese Medicine. He wrote many papers and initiated debates on medical methodology between Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and Dialectical Based Medicine (DBM). He spoke at numerous international events, including the World Medicine Forum and international conferences of integrative medicine.

Over the last few years, Professor Mei became interested in exploring the more philosophical side of Chinese Medicine and Chinese culture in general. He founded CHINALIFE in London offering a unique range of Chinese Tea and herbal tonics. He gave many talks on the subject of Yin and Yang and its relation to quantum physics. He also returned to his artistic roots by writing many poems and was about to publish his first book of poetry.

Professor Mei unexpectedly passed away whilst travelling in the Far East from a sudden and instant heart failure. His tragic death is a shock to the world of Chinese Medicine and beyond. He was one of those rare individuals, who could impact a life in a short amount of time. He effortlessly engaged and inspired others with informality and openness. His empathy, intellect and insatiable curiosity touched many deeply, leaving an unforgettable impression. Those that knew him even for the briefest moment are sincerely mourning his passing.

Professor Mei’s vision for a globalised medicine that cares for humanity and a new paradigm of medicine and health has inspired many and it is of fundamental importance that his legacy continues. His son, Don Mei, who has worked closely alongside his father for over 15 years, shall continue his valuable work. Professor Mei was forever a force for good and harmony and an inspiration for all who he touched. He will be sadly missed and the world is a dimmer place aer his passing.

KEY WEBSITES

www.cuconsortium.org.uk

OUTLINE OF MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS

INVENTIONS

Inventor of the first “Disposable Traditional Acupuncture Needle”

Designed and produced the first microchip electro-acupuncture apparatus ‘system B’ (1978), one of the first to gain CE approval.

Researcher & Developer of the AcuMedic range of electrotherapy TENS and Laser Apparatus, pioneering the biotechnology development of Energy Medicine.

Innovated the systematic approach to Chinese medicine formulae by developing the TCM Classic range of capsulated Chinese herbal extracts. Participated in the technology innovation and GMP Standards in the production development (1982-2006).

FOUNDED ORGANISATIONS

Founded the AcuMedic Centre in 1972 – the oldest and largest Chinese Medicine Organisation outside Asia.

Founder of East Asia Company – Chinese books and arts company.

Founder of chinalife – Chinese tea and herbal tonics company.

Founded the Chinese Medical Institute and Register (1992) and led the compilation of the educational syllabus and was actively involved in the teaching curriculum.

Chaired many meetings of the steering committee governing the works of CMIR and organised several national and international conferences.

Led the formation of the Chinese Medicine Council (UK, 2004).

Co-founded the China-UK Consortium for Medical Integration, Research and Collaboration as the Chairman of the CMIR (UK, 2007).

Founded the Global Health Synergy Group, a forum for exchange in ideas on future models of healthcare (2012).

Co-founded the Basel Circle, consisting of doctors and professors of medicine, dedicated to playing an instrumental role in medical paradigm shifts (2013).

PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS

Elected Vice chairman, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS).

Executive Chairman, Consultative Working Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS).

Chairman, Chinese Medical Institute and Register, UK (CMIR).

Chairman, Chinese Medicine Council, UK (CMC).

Chairman, China-UK Consortium for Medical Integration, Research & Collaborations (CUC).

Member, DH Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (UK).

Nominated by the UK Department of Health as a member of the Joint Regulatory Working Group on CAM under the Chairmanship of Professor Pittilo.

Stakeholder, MHRA EC Directive relating to Traditional Herbal Medicine.

Vice-chairman of the Educational Instruction Committee for international standard syllabus and minimum educational requirements for practice.

Elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese Medicine Speciality Committee.

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Visiting Professor, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China).

Visiting Professor of Integrative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University (Guangxi, China).

Visiting Professor, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangzhou, China).

Principal Professor, Chinese Medical Institute and Register (London, UK).

Professor, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (Nigeria).

Vice Chair, International Andrology Society (IAS, Tianjin).

Vice Chair, Specialty Committee of Chinese Materia Medica (SCCMM, Beijing).

Vice Chair, Educational Instruction Committee (EIC, Beijing).

Appointed as one of the vice editors of the international edition of the undergraduate textbook of Chinese medicine.

MEMBERSHIPS

Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts (FRSA).

Member, UK 48 Group Club.

Fellow FInstD, Institute of Directors (UK).

AWARDS

China Prominent Business Leader Award 2009, The CPC Central Committee (China).

Outstanding Achievement Award 2003, Chinese Medicine Association (China).

Outstanding Doctor Award 1999, Chamber of Chinese Medicine Association (China).

Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine (2008).

EDUCATION

BSc (King’s College, University of London, UK).

MA, PhD (Medicina Alternativa, Spain).

Thesis: Effects of Electro-magnetic Energy in the Clinical Applications of Electrotherapy and Electro-acupuncture.

POETRY

Professor Mei’s poetry is available to read at mfm.acumedic.com

PUBLISHED PAPERS AND SPEECHES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Editor of the “International Journal of Acupuncture” since 1997 and “e Syndrome” Newsletter of the CMIR since 1999, and several books.

A New Generation of Huatou Doctors in Foreign Lands, Beijing, 1996.

Chinese Medicine Towards Modernisation, Conference on Chinese Medicine – The Treatment of Modern Intractable Diseases, 1998.

Business Culture: An East-West Encounter, London, 1999.

The Relevance of Chinese Medicine to Western Medical Practice, Complementary Medicine, 1999/2000.

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, The Medical Book, 2000.

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture – Recent Research and Its Relevance to Western Medical Practice, Alternative & Complementary Medicine, e Medical Book, 2000.

Acupuncture – from Ancient Art to Modern Medicine, NHS Book, 2000.

Acupuncture Disposable Needles – Invention and Clinical Usage, British Medical Acupuncture Society Journal, 2000.

Stress and its Answer in Chinese Medicine, e Syndrome (CMIR Newsletter), 2000, London.

Integrative Medicine: East/West Perspectives, Conference on Integrative Medicine, Thailand, July 2000.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine – Mainstream Integration?, Alternative & Complementary Medicine, The Medical Book, 2001.

Chinese Medicine – Towards Legal Regulation, London, 2001.

Chinese Medicine – Key to the Polemics of a Global Medicine, International Medical Summit, Hong Kong, P.R. China, April 2001.

Traditional Medicine – A Modern Interpretation, International Conference of Modernisation of Traditional Pharmacy and Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, March 2002.

Traditional Medicine – A Modern Interpretation, Alternative & Complementary Medicine, The Medical Book, 2002/03.

Strategic Position of Chinese Medicine Legalisation in Evolving Global Medicine, 1st Global Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong, P.R. China, 2003.

Globalisation of Chinese Medicine – Strategies and Practice, 4th Congress of P.R. China Association of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, 2003.

Patient Safety and Professional Excellence in a Suitable Regulatory Model for Chinese Medicine, Chinese Medicine Legislation Forum, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK, 2003.

Global Direction of Chinese Medicine Education, 3rd International Congress on Traditional Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, November 2004.

Direction of Global Medicine and Global Medicine Education, International Medical University Chancellors’ Summit, Guangxi Medical University, P.R. China, 2004.

Globalisation & the Challenges to Medical Education in the 21st Century, 1st World Medicine Summit, Shanghai, P.R. China, June 2005.

Chinese Medical Andrology – Impotence Study, 1st International Academic Conference of Andrology, Committee of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies and 3rd International Academic Conference on Chinese Medical Andrology, Thailand, July 2005.

Chinese Andrology – A Survey of Western Medicine Practice (Chinese text book).

Dialectical-Based Medicine (DBM) – Traditional Prospective and Modern Interpretation, Chinese Medicine Development Summit, Beijing, P.R. China, September 2005.

Creating an Enterprise Culture for the Internationalisation of Chinese Medicine, Sichuan, P.R. China, September 2005.

On the Strategic Situation and Academic Content in the Globalisation of Chinese Medicine, 2nd Global Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Annual Purchase Fair, Hong Kong, P.R. China, October 2005.

Modern Acupuncture – Recent Development, 2nd International Congress of Chinese Medicine, Paris, France, October 2005.

Chinese Medicine in Europe – Post Directive Market & Development Analysis, Conference for the Establishment of the Specialty Committee of Chinese Materia Medica, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Beijing, P.R. China, December 2005.

Chinese Medicine Education – A Global View, 3rd International Congress of Traditional Medicine, Canada, September 2006 and 50th anniversary conference of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P.R. China, October 2006.

Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme, 2006.

Chinese Food and Nutrition Therapy in Relation to Lifestyle, delivered at the Bath Spa University, 2007.

Integrative Medicine – Exploring A New System Methodology, CMIR International Medical Conference: ‘Integrative Medicine – the Future?’, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK, March 2007, and Third World Integrative Medicine Congress, Guangzhou, P.R. China, September 2007, and the CMIR 11th East-West Medicine Symposium, UCL, London, March 2009.

Current Situation of Chinese Medicine in the UK, delivered at the 4th Plenary Session of the 2nd Council Board and the 3rd Plenary Session of the 2nd Supervision Board of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Meeting, Changsha, China, May 2009.

Integrating Chinese Medicine and Evidence-Based Medicine – Clinical Issues and Collaborations, Sino-European Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine International Cooperation and Perspective in Science and Technology, Rome, Italy, June 2007.

Integrative Medicine – Exploring A New System Methodology, Third World Integrative Medicine Congress, Guangzhou, P.R. China, September 2007.

Globalization and Integrative Medicine – Theoretical Issues concerning Evidence-Based-Medicine (EBM) and Dialectical-Based-Medicine (DBM), Globalisation and Integrative Medicine, Vienna, Austria, November 2007.

The Polemics of Chinese Medicine Development, 1st TCM Summit 2007, Beijing, P.R. China, November 2007 and 4th International Congress of Traditional Medicine, Singapore, November 2007.

On Creating an Enterprise Culture for the Internationalisation of Chinese Medicine, 2nd Congress of Specialty Committee of Chinese Materia Medica, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Shenzhen, P.R. China, November 2007.

Functional Spa – The next step in health and leisure business, from Concept to Practice, delivered at the Thai Spa Association, Thailand, 2008.

Chinese Medicine Methodology and Science, CUC Meeting, Brunel University, UK, April 2008 Chinese Tea Culture & Modern Lifestyle, delivered at Asia House, London, June 2008.

Integration of Chinese Medicine within Western Healthcare System, TCM Week, Royal Society of Medicine, UK, August 2008.

The Implications of the Scientific Theories of New Physics to the Innovative Development of Dialectical Thoughts in Chinese Medicine, The 5th World Congress of Chinese Medicine, Macau, October 2008.

On the Mainstream Internationalisation of Chinese Medicine Education, World Education Congress of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P.R. China, November 2008.

Chinese Medicine and Integrative Healthcare – An Update, delivered at the AcuMedic Centre, London, December 2008.

China and the West – Lifestyle Integration, delivered at the AcuMedic Centre, London, December 2008.

Taking Pulse of the Global Economic Crisis with Chinese Medicine, an MFM E-Letter, February 2009.

A New Opportunity for China-UK Collaboration – Furthering Chinese Medicine Participation in the European Biomedicine Market, UKTI UK – China Modernization & Industrialization of TCM Seminar, Chongqing and Chengdu, P.R. China, March 2009.

Health Culture – East and West, delivered at chinalife Tea House, London, July 2009.

Summary Report on Mainstream Globalisation of Chinese Medicine Education, co-chairman of the Chinese Medicine Education Session and Working Group with Professor Cao Hongxin, President of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and Professor Pei Gang, Chancellor of Tongji University at the Global Chinese Medicine Conference of Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine (CGCM), Nottingham University, UK, August 2009.

The Chinese Way to Health and Beauty – Developing Inner Vitality and Outer Radiance, delivered at chinalife Tea House, London, August 2009.

Observations on the Renaissance of Chinese Culture and the West, an MFM E-Letter, August 2009.

Bio-investment in East-West Medicine and Healthcare, UKTI Healthcare Trade Mission to South East Asia, Thailand, September 2009.

Summit and Global Forum of Chinese Business Model (Beijing 09), Beijing, P.R. China, September 2009.

Imminent Crisis and Solutions to European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (THMPD), International Conference & Exposition on Traditional Medicine 2009, Guangzhou, P.R. China, November 2009.

The World Beyond 2010?, an MFM E-Letter, December 2009.

Diagnostic Thoughts in Medicine – A Chinese-Western Comparative Study, 6th World Congress of Chinese Medicine 2009, Melbourne, Australia, December 2009.

The Role of Innovative Thoughts and Enterprise Culture in the Renaissance of the Chinese Civilisation, Corporate-Social Responsibility and National Rejuvenation Summit, Beijing, P.R. China, January 2010.

Random Thoughts – Reflections on East-West Convergence, an MFM E-Letter, March 2010.

An East-West Discourse on Health and Medicine, an MFM E-Letter, June 2010.

An Integrative Physician’s Guide to Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, published by AcuMedic Foundation, August 2010.

Clinical Development of Chinese Medicine in Health Regulation and Anti-Aging, 7th World Congress of Chinese Medicine, Hague, Netherlands, October 2010.

Pain Management and Treatment with Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Anglian Pain Society, November 2010, Thetford, UK.

Integrative Medicine – The Polemics Between East-West Medical Methodologies, Symposium on Future of Integrative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, March 2011.

Chinese Medicine – Its Future in Europe, Symposium on Herbal Medicine, India YMCA, London, UK, March 2011.

On Legalisation and Governance in the Globalisation of Chinese Medicine – The Implications of EU THMPD and UK Statutory Regulation, delivered at WFCMS Summit, Kunming, China, April 2011.

Conceiving Yin and Yang – Towards a Scientific Interpretation, an MFM E-Letter, June 2011.

Conceiving Yin and Yang – Harmony and You, Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, Issue 9, August 2011 (originally published in January 2011).

Integrative Medicine – The Polemics between Chinese and Western Medical Methodologies, published at the 8th World Congress of Chinese Medicine, London, UK, September 2011.

The Globalisation of Chinese Medicine Education – Strategy and Direction, delivered at the Second General Assembly of Educational Instruction Committee (EIC) of WFCMS, Beijing, China, October 2011.

The System Methodology of Chinese Medicine – Inheritance and Innovation, delivered at the 5th China Guangzhou International Conference of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China, November 2011.

A Systematic Analysis of the Theory and Practice of Syndrome Differentiation, Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, November 2011.

Yin and Yang in Health and Economics, delivered at the London School of Economics, February 2012.

Conceiving Yin and Yang – The Socio-Economic Interpretation, an MFM E-Letter, June 2012.

An Introduction to Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, delivered at the Asia House, London, July 2012.

Modern Science and Syndrome Didifferentiation, delivered at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, October 2012.

Introduction and Update on the Progress of Integration in Medicine, delivered at the University College London, April 2013.

Integrating Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture within Mainstream Medicine: Research and Clinical Updates, delivered at the University College London, April 2013.

The Future Integration and Clinical Applications of Energetic Medicine, delivered with Dr. Zulia Frost at the University College London, April 2013.

My Magnificent China – A Personal View on Her People, Land, Culture, History & Philosophy, delivered at the AcuMedic Centre, July 2013.

Organic Farming and Chinese Herbal Medicine, delivered at AcuMedic Centre with Sir Julian Rose and Jadwiga Lopata, August 2013.

Getting the Optimum Benefit from Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture – Treatment and Health Regulation, delivered at AcuMedic Centre, September 2013.

The Heart and Mind in Chinese Medicine and Culture, delivered at the AcuMedic Centre, October 2013.

The Chinese Scholar – Enlightenment through Philosophy, Art and Poetry, delivered at the AcuMedic Centre, December 2013.