3. Russia Explores Fasting

By Dr. Vivian Virginia Vetrano

Last year I was honored by an invitation to the Republican scientific and practical conference entitled “Baikal Readings - 1 - Fasting Therapy and Traditional Medicine” held in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia Republic, Russia, October 7-9, 2003. I had laid the invitation aside and forgot about it. A few months ago I received another invitation with the agenda of the last invitation, and, after reading the agenda more carefully, I decided to take this invitation a bit more seriously.

The Republic of Buryatia Health Ministry is already organizing the scientific and practical conference Baikal Readings - 2 - on the use of fasting therapy and techniques of traditional medicine and has requested that I write a paper on fasting by May 15, 2004 for the new volume of scientific articles. The Minister of Health, V. Kozhevnikov, signed the letter.

It is interesting to note that the government is sponsoring the use of “therapeutic fasting,” and traditional Oriental medicine along with traditional medical care. The first day of the first conference took place at the Republican Children Hospital. After the welcoming address by the Minister of Health, a lecture was given on “Organizational and Methodical Aspects of the Use of Fasting Therapy and Traditional Medicine in the Public Health System.” There were speakers from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm, Novosibirsk, Bryansk, Tyumen, Minsk.

On the second day of the conference, at the National Library of Buryatia Republic, they held a round table discussion with patients who had experienced “fasting therapy.” The next session after lunch featured those who were using Traditional Oriental Medicine. This involved officials of the Republican and Municipal public health care institutions of different levels, the “Baikalkurort” Resort Directorate, executive bodies of Buryatia republic, its regions, Ulan-Ude City, The Peoples Khural (parliament), and the mass media was present. That ended the two-day official meetings.

Day three was a field trip to the Goryachinsk Resort where fasting is practiced. The tour included the Department of Fasting therapy. Then another round table Session with the officials took place and that was the end of the conference. The conferences will be held every two years.

I am presently taking care of a Russian lady. If she is well in 2005 when the next conference will be held, I will invite her to the round table discussion where patients get to talk about their fasting experiences. It’s my intention to spread pure Natural Hygiene, especially preventive Hygiene, so people won’t get so sick that they require any traditional medication, Oriental medicine, or even fasting!