Once discounted as non-scientific healing method, acupuncture has gained growing credibility and popularity internationally. In Indonesia, medical doctors are embracing the technique and acupuncturists have become a recognized profession.

From May 20 to May 22, the Association of Indonesian Acupuncturists (PAKSI) held an expo, including seminars and workshops on acupuncture.

Hundreds of acupuncturists and doctors took part in this first-of-a-kind event, eagerly paying the combined Rp 1 million (US$111) expo fee.

"This is the first time we have ever held an expo. Previously, we have done a lot of smaller events. We held this event mostly to prepare ourselves, because we will be the host of the World Symposium of Acupuncturists in 2006," Paksi secretary-general Siti Murniati said after the opening of the expo.

The trade side of expo was not large, with only about a dozen exhibits selling traditional medicines and electro-acupuncture equipment participating.

However, the first day's seminar was packed with interested participants.

Workshops on the second and the third days addressed specific topics like acupuncture for easing wrinkles, for diabetes mellitus, and psychological complaints like depression.

"People now accept acupuncture as a scientific method and we are seeing a growing demand for the service," Siti said.

"However, the quality of acupuncture services has to be improved," she said.

PAKSI, which has 3,000 registered members, has arranged to improve acupuncture training from certified 300-hour courses to a college diploma curriculum.

"We have a three-year diploma college for acupuncture in Surabaya. We will have another one in Jakarta and one in Malang," Siti, who is a dentist-cum-acupuncturist said.

The chairman of PAKSI, Tomi Hardjatno, said that one of PAKSI's missions was to promote acupuncture services that were professional, effective, safe and rational.