TOWARDS GREATER VISION OF EDUCATION AND LEADING TO

INTEGRATE THE HEALING ARTS

MEDICINA ALTERNATIVA & THE OPEN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINES

This International Organization formed in 1962 congruent to the policy objectives of the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. In 1962 The WHO and UNICEF sponsored an international Conference in USSR at Alma Ata, at the University of Kazakhstan. At this conference the AlMA ATA DECLARATION defined a global strategy for public health and preventive medicine which epitomized as " HEALTH FOR ALL BY 2000 A.D." This strategy entails the use of all available healing methods both Orthodox and traditional and Open International University for Complementary Medicines was formed as an international society under the guidelines of THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, and registered under the legal enactments of USSR in Alma Ata in 1962 ( reg. No; 115620.20.6.30, see attached copy of deed and letter from Russian Cultural Center in Mumbai, India). Its membership was limited to those who attended that meeting. Delegates from 46 countries were represented. The first Chairman was Proff. V. Inyushin of the Department of Biophysics of the University of Kazakhstan in then USSR. The co-chairman was Prof. Dr.Jos Schade, the celebrated neurologist from Holland.

As candidates from many countries of the world found it difficult to attend the courses held in Kazakhstan, it was decided to transfer the main base to Western Europe. Some years later, the subsequent (second) Chairman ( Prof.Dr.Jos Schade, M.D., Ph.D) transferred the organization to the Netherland ( Houten, City of Utrecht, Dr. S. Yasuda being teh first Patron. However, persons from Third world conutries and developing nations could not easily avail of he training programs in the various medical disciplines made availabe through the organization in Western Europe becouse of expensive living costs. in order to make this knowledge accessible to a larger population, and especially to those in economically less well off countries, it was decided to move the base to Sri lanka under the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. sir Anton Jayasuriya who was the Founder of Medicina Alternativa (MA). Medicina Alternativa initially was based at the institute of Acupuncture at the Colombo South Government General Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka.

Thus, the Open International aUniversity for Complementary Medicines with special emphasis to conduct an intensive clinical training program on various Complimentary and alternative ot therapies world wide, working with conjuction with other affiliated organizations. The Sri Lanka Gevernment was requested to enact legislation to enable the Open International University for Complementary Medicines to be constituted as a privately funded postgraduate Institute.His Excellency J.R.Jayewardene, former President of Sri Lanka, by Letter No. 196/1 of 25th March 1988 recognized the Open International University for Complementary Medicines as a privately funded body and also kindly consented ( in August 1989) to be the Honorary Patron of this University for Complementary Medicines form part of this worldwide endeavor to improve educational and public health facilities by the year 2000 A.D.

Over 29,000 students from 120 countries have been taught complementary medicine to date. Under the auspices, the various regional associations have instituted training courses, Symposia and World Congress in all five continents and in over one hundred countries in the past quarter of a century.

The administrative Secretarist is at No.28, Buddhist Centre Road, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka. The Affairs of The Open International University for Complementary Medicines ( OIUCM ) is run by the board of directors appointed both locally and internationally by the Trustess of Medicina Alternativa.

The various Sri Lankan Governments has supported the work The Open International University for Complementary Medicines does not come under the purview of UGC of Sri Lanka. Medicina Alternativa has obtained the approval of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka ( Ref. 42/LE/IN/02) to be engaged in teaching and clinical with capital investment of One million U.S. Dollars with the collaboration of the Open International University for Complementary Medicine, Kazakhstan. Medicina Alternativa is also registered with the Private Health Services Regulatory Council of the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition, Sri Lanka ( Registration No.PHSRX/Fg P/ 07 )

This organization is a non profitable organization with more than 70% of the funds utilized for treating patients at the Medicina Alternativa Clinic ( also known now as the Sir Anton Jayasuriya Memorial Hospital) in Colombo, which treats over 300 patients a day. For the past 42 years these patients are treated free og charge. Students from over 97 countries have been trained at this center for the past 20 years in Acupunture, Homoepathy, Ayurveda and other Natural Medicines.

In every year in November Medicina Alternativa & The Open International University for Complementary Medicines conducts a World Congress which is attended b Complementary Practitioners and students from all over the world. This event consist of two days of scientific deliberations on Complementary Medicines. This years Congress was held on the 7th , 8th and 9th of November and was attended by over 600 delegates from over 42 countries. The Government of Sri Lanka released a special Stamp in memory of the Founder of Medicina Alternativa, Sir Anton Jayasuriya for promoting Complementary Medicines world wide.

In Malaysia The Open International University for Complementary Medicines has over 3000 students trained and certified in Acupunture, Ayurveda, Herbal Medicine, Homoeopathy, Colour Vibration Therapy and on Electronic Medication. Since of recently as new policies have taken place with regard to practice of complementary medicines in Malaysia. The Open International University for complementary Medicines has decided to embark on upgrading and retraining these practitioners to meet with the standards set by the Malaysian Health authorities. Therefore The Open International University for Complementary Medicines with its affiliated bodies in Malaysia is drawing up a plan to attain this objective within the next few months.