MRCTCM — Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Msida, Malta · Alternative Therapy
About MRCTCM — Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) is a joint initiative between the governments of Malta and China, established in 1994 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries' Ministries of Health. It is the only government-established Traditional Chinese Medicine centre in Malta and one of the few in Europe operating within a public hospital setting.
Since 1994, the centre has hosted 20 rotating teams of Chinese medical professionals from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, providing TCM services to approximately 250,000 Maltese patients over its history. Services include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, TCM-based physical therapy and massage, and other classical TCM modalities.
The MRCTCM originally operated at St Luke's Hospital before relocating to Mater Dei Hospital in 2007. Its move to Mater Dei made it the first TCM clinic operating within a European public hospital at its opening in 2008, a distinction that has drawn international academic and policy attention.
The centre serves both general public patients referred through the Maltese health system and private clients. The University of Malta also operates a separate Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine for academic and clinical research purposes.
Services
- Acupuncture
- Chinese herbal medicine
- TCM physical therapy
- TCM massage (Tui Na)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine consultations
- TCM-based pain management
Highlights
- Government-established TCM centre, jointly founded by Malta and China in 1994
- Located at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta's main public hospital
- Staffed by practitioners from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Over 250,000 Maltese patients treated since 1994
- One of the first TCM clinics operating within a European public hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the MRCTCM in Malta?
- MRCTCM stands for Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a government-established TCM centre in Malta founded in 1994 as a joint initiative between the Maltese and Chinese governments. It operates at Mater Dei Hospital and has provided TCM services including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy to approximately 250,000 Maltese patients since its founding.
- Where is Traditional Chinese Medicine available in Malta?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malta is available at the MRCTCM, located at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida. The centre has been operating since 1994 and is staffed by rotating teams of qualified Chinese medical practitioners from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Services include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM-based physical therapy.
- Does Malta have government-provided acupuncture?
- Yes, acupuncture is available through the MRCTCM at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida, Malta. The centre is a joint initiative between the Maltese and Chinese governments established in 1994, making it one of the few government-backed TCM clinics operating within a European public hospital.
- How long has Traditional Chinese Medicine been available in Malta?
- Traditional Chinese Medicine has been officially available in Malta since 1994, when the Maltese and Chinese governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM). The centre initially operated at St Luke's Hospital before moving to Mater Dei Hospital in 2007.
Last updated: 2026-04-09