The conference brought together a wide range of specialists – CAHC experts, physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and representatives of public health and education. The program featured presentations by dozens of researchers and practitioners from Lithuania and abroad on the synergy between traditional and alternative health care methods, digital health innovations, and the latest trends in holistic medicine.
KU Rector Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas emphasized the university’s role in developing new competencies for the health care system: “I am pleased that Klaipėda University is one of the first in Lithuania to have programs approved by the Ministry of Health. These programs enable graduates of postgraduate studies to acquire specialties needed in the Lithuanian health care system.”
Klaipeda University is systematically strengthening the scientific and educational foundation of CAHC. Since 2014, the university has offered master’s studies in rehabilitation, and since 2022 it has been implementing programs to train specialists in Ayurveda, acupuncture, apitherapy, dolphin therapy, hippotherapy, and other fields. This creates a unique environment where complementary and alternative health care is integrated into both academic and practical contexts.
Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, welcoming conference participants, highlighted the importance of CAHC in the modern health system: “It is very important to understand that today, complementary and alternative medicine can play an exceptionally significant role in the health care system.”
KU researchers actively conduct studies on the effects of nature-based, animal-assisted, sensory, and neurosensory-motor therapies on human health. This broad research base and international collaboration provide a strong foundation for the innovations presented at the conference and help scientifically substantiate the application of alternative methods.
Jurgita Platakytė, Advisor to the Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration: “We value the contribution of the academic community and practitioners, because only dialogue between experts in various fields allows us to build a bridge between ancient and future medicine.”
The event also attracted considerable attention from the community of practicing specialists. Participants included herbalist Jadvyga Balvočiūtė, “Lighthouse Hub” founder Šarūnas Butkus, President of the National Pharmaceutical Industry Association Dr. Rima Balanaškienė, naturopath Heinz-Gerhardt Mueller, certified canine-assisted therapist Skaistė Skibiniauskienė, and experts from various health care institutions. In their presentations, they shared insights on how traditional methods are integrated into modern health care systems and what global trends are shaping the field of CAHC research and practice.
Summarizing the importance of the conference, Chair of the KU Faculty of Health Sciences Council Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lolita Rapolienė emphasized the participants’ shared objective: “I am pleased that everyone gathered here is united by a common vision—a holistic approach to human health and well-being.”
Chair of the Seimas Committee on Health Affairs, Lina Šukytė-Korsakė, thanked the university community for its consistent efforts: “Thank you for your work, your dedication to human health, and for expanding Lithuania’s health horizons every day.”
The conference organizers – Klaipeda University’s Lifelong Learning Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences – aim for CAHC specialists to become a fully integrated part of the national health system. Today, KU is one of the key centers of science and studies actively shaping the vision and strategic foundation for the integration of CAHC professions in Lithuania.
