'I feel a precious part of Chinese cultural heritage is being lost,' said Ms Li, a registered Chinese practitioner teaching general education at Tin Shui Wai Methodist College.

She said Chinese medicine was closely related to Chinese philosophies and was based on different concepts from those underlying modern sciences.

Traditional concepts could be integrated into Chinese culture or general studies, she said. However, while some schools had expressed interest in the plan, few had the money or expertise to implement it, she said.

'We are seeking sponsorship to fund our services to schools,' Ms Li added. 'There is a need to pass our cultural heritage to the young generation.'

Leo Fung Sun-wai, association secretary general, suggested Chinese medicine schools could broaden their admission criteria to admit more arts students.

'It may not be necessary for students to be knowledgeable in biology and chemistry as Chinese medicines have a different system from the sciences,' he said.

Tong Yiu, director of the School of Chinese Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, said it was preferable for science students to study Chinese medicine because current practices adapted theories from modern medicine and western science. The school admitted a small number of arts students each year on discretion.

'Arts students have a hard time catching up with training in biology and chemistry,' Professor Tong said.