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Date : 30/03/2004
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: M Tshabalala-Msimang: Conference on Traditional Medicine opening


SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, M TSHABALALA-MSIMANG, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, Kopaneng
30 March 2004

It is indeed a great pleasure to join many of my colleagues in the health sector as we open this very important conference. The historical importance of this conference may not be evident to us gathered here today but I am convinced that those who will come after us will praise our boldness and our vision for saving this very important part of our heritage - traditional medicine.

The theme for this conference is: "Working together with traditional health practitioners in health care delivery". I am sure you will agree colleagues that this theme fits well with what we have come here to do for these two days - to make sure that traditional medicine takes its rightful place in the health care delivery systems of our countries.

The important role of traditional medicines in the health care delivery systems of many developing countries cannot be overemphasised. Traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance. Traditional medicine is ceasing to be an obscure practice of so-called quacks and witches. This rare discipline is fast becoming a name to be reckoned with in our struggles to fight diseases and ensure the health of our people. This revolution is not only taking place in developing countries but also in the developed world. Traditional medicine has become a global phenomenon.

The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 80% of the people in Africa use traditional medicine. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the ratio of traditional health practitioners to the population is approximately 1:500, while the medical doctors have a 1:40 000 to the rest of the population. It is clear that traditional health practitioners have an important role to play in the lives of African people and have the potential to serve as a critical component of a comprehensive heath care strategy.

In South Africa alone, it is estimated that we have approximately 200 000 traditional health practitioners. These health practitioners are the first health care providers to be consulted in up to 80% of cases, especially in rural areas, and are deeply interwoven into the fabric of cultural and spiritual life. It is for this reason that there has been recognition of traditional medicine practice in South Africa.

Research also indicates that, in many developing countries, a large proportion of the population relies heavily on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants to meet primary health care needs. Although modern medicine may be available in these countries, traditional medicines have often maintained popularity for historical and cultural reasons. It is also important to note that traditional medicines also continue to play a significant role in the treatment and management of life-threatening diseases. This is more so in the developing world as indicated above.

The question that we have to answer given all the statistics I have mentioned, is: "Can we afford to ignore traditional medicine and the crucial role it plays in the well-being of our people?"

The answer colleagues I am sure, is a resounding no. We cannot, particularly in the African continent afford to let our heritage, a heritage whose positive impact is known, be lost while our region is faced with serious health challenges.

On the 31st of August last year we commemorated, for the first time, African Traditional Medicines Day, here in Pretoria. The commemoration, which was attended by the Director-General of the WHO, Dr Jong Wok Lee, and the Regional Director of WHO in Africa, Dr Ebrahim Samba, as well as Health Ministers from various African states, was an affirmation of the pride and the importance we place on traditional medicines and our traditional health practitioners.

On the same day as the commemoration of the African Traditional Medicines Day, we, as South Africa, also launched the first National Reference Centre for African Traditional Medicines. The centre is a collaborative effort between the Department of Health, the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the traditional health practitioners themselves.

The Reference Centre is as a direct result of our National Drug Policy of 1996. The Policy recognises the potential role and benefits of available African traditional medicines in the National Health System. It is aimed at investigating the use of effective and safe traditional medicines at primary health care level. The Centre will draw on multi-disciplinary expertise throughout South Africa to achieve the following specific outcomes for the future benefit of the country and the region.

* Establishment of an information system on African Traditional Medicines
* Promotion of research and development focused on standardisation and authentication of products based on medicinal plants
* Identification of education and training needs with regard to traditional medicine
* Protection of indigenous knowledge and trade promotion through patents and intellectual property rights
* Promoting scientific research into life-threatening, chronic and common diseases that are prevalent in the region
* Establishment of agro-processing businesses based on propagation, cultivation and processing of medicinal plants
Colleagues, there is no doubt that local production of traditional medicinal products of good quality and efficacy may present an affordable alternative to some of the expensive, imported synthetic drugs. Recently, the MRC made a very positive presentation to the Health MECs and myself on the medicine they are developing to address diabetes. With statistics of diabetes increasing on the continent, it is important that we develop affordable medicines to address this condition. In South Africa, we estimate that about eight million people have diabetes.

A vital point made by the MRC presenters is that the medicine they are researching is composed of indigenous plants, plants that are mixed by local traditional health practitioners for diabetics. This clearly shows that we have not even touched a tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of traditional medicine.

The potential of traditional medicines cannot be effectively harnessed without the concurrent recognition of traditional health practitioners and their communities, who are the actual custodians of indigenous knowledge. We cannot ignore their immense contribution in the provision of health care over centuries. The status and profile of traditional health practitioners has to be raised and strengthened for the benefit of all. It is unfortunate that we often lose sight of the continuing service that is offered by this sector, which remains largely informal and marginalized in most parts of the world.

The socio-political history of countries in the African continent is such that the development of these medicines has been undermined. Because of Colonialism and the subjugation of our people over a number of centuries, we have, even ourselves, been made to look down upon traditional medicine. We have sought to define ourselves as quacks and witches, just as our colonisers did.

We need to free ourselves from the chains of oppression and Afro-pessimism.

We need to change our mindset.

We need to reclaim our pride.

What should be important as we deliberate over the next two days, is that it is not this conference's objective to have traditional medicine being taken over by Western medicine. We believe that traditional medicine is a discipline on its own. It cannot be an appendage to Western medicine but the two can work hand in hand.

In light of the current health challenges, the potential of indigenous medicinal plants also need to be explored. Of course, this has to be done in a manner that is sustainable and in harmony with nature and the environment. It is important that in our pursuit of discoveries and breakthroughs, we do not endanger our species in a way that would adversely affect the sustainable supply of medicinal plants for future generations.

It is also important we take cognisance of the economic spin-offs that come with this venture. Besides the indisputable health benefits, traditional medicines offer a huge potential for trade promotion, job creation and poverty alleviation. The output of traditional medicine will also have to be gauged against how well they boost the economic activity amongst our communities. The cultivation and propagation of medicinal plants provide opportunities for establishing agro-processing businesses, particularly for rural communities who continue to be on the margins of the mainstream economy. It is our conviction that with scientific support and the application of sound business principles, a wider potential for trade in medicinal plants will be created.

Colleagues, South Africa has embarked on the process of formally recognising traditional medicine and traditional health practitioners through the drafting of the Traditional Health Practitioners Bill. The Bill provides for the establishment of a Traditional Health Practitioners Council, which should guide us in ensuring quality of traditional health care services and provide for the control over the registration, training and practice of traditional health practitioners.

What is important about this Bill is that it is the traditional health practitioners themselves who will determine who is a bona fide traditional health practitioner and who is a chancer. Traditional health practitioners should be the masters of their own destiny.

We commit ourselves to promote traditional medicines. This is a cause that we hold dear. We hope that this Conference will highlight the significance of traditional medicine and raise its profile in the national health systems. Indeed, traditional medicine forms an integral part of our Comprehensive Plan for Management, Care and Treatment of HIV and AIDS. It is my hope that this Conference will shed some light on what role traditional medicine will play in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. This Plan is about choices and we want to enable those whose preference is traditional medicine, have access these medicines. We know very well that they are effective in alleviating many conditions associated with AIDS. They are widely available, affordable and have simple treatment regimens.

For the next two days scientists, researchers and traditional health practitioners will shed some light on progress made in traditional medicine research into Cancer, HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Diabetes.

In conclusion, it is absolutely important that we reiterate our commitment and determination, as the department and partners including all stakeholders, to mobilise resources to ensure that traditional medicine and the practice thereof enjoy, for the first time in our history, the full recognition and support they have always deserved.

This is cause for celebration. For the next two days, we have the task of ensuring, in a humble manner, that we rescue our heritage from being cast into oblivion. Traditional medicine and the practice thereof should rise like the Phoenix for the betterment of all our people's lives.

Let us all do what we can for the next two days to realise our dream.

I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Health
30 March 2004

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