Professor Mei passed away on 8th January 2014, aged 67.

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 fi rst 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 fi rst 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, off ering clinical services to the general public. He was dedicated to o ffering 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 fi gures. 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 off er a range of academic courses and quali fications 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. Th e 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 off ering 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 fi rst 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 e ffortlessly engaged and inspired others with informality and openness. His empathy, intellect and insatiable curiosity touched many deeply, leaving an unforgettable impression. Th ose 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 after his passing.

KEY WEBSITES

mfm.acumedic.com

www.acumedic.com

www.cmir.org

www.chinalifeweb.com

www.cmc-uk.org

www.cuconsortium.org.uk

 

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OUTLINE OF MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS

INVENTIONS

• Inventor of the first “Disposable Traditional Acupuncture Needle”

• Designed and produced the fi rst microchip electro-acupuncture apparatus ‘system B’ (1978), one of the fi rst 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 shi fts (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, Th e 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).

• Th esis: E ffects 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.

• Th e 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, The 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, Th e 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, Th ailand, July 2005.

• Chinese Andrology — A Survey of Western Medicine Practice (Chinese textbook).

• 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,