Date: 10/06/2006
Source: Department of Health
Title: Tshabalala-Msimang: National Traditional Medicine Workshop


  Closing remarks by the Minister of Health (South Africa) Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the National Traditional Medicine workshop

Programme Director
The Honourable Minister of State for Health of the Federal Republic of Nigeria The Special Representative of the African Commissioner for Social Affairs
All of our specially invited international guests and recognised traditional medicine experts Stakeholders within the traditional medicine sector
Respected delegates
Ladies and gentlemen

Good Day,

I am again delighted to be part of the closing of this most important workshop that is prioritising traditional medicine as an important component of the South African Healthcare System. I am mandated by the President to move along these lines.

It is important to indicate that the presentations that were made yesterday were valuable to demonstrate how African traditional medicine will ensure that the healthcare systems are coherent to the needs of our citizens.

I must say that the role of traditional health practitioners as the first contact of our communities is very important and we need to engage them in the processes towards institutionalisation of traditional medicine.

This workshop highlighted how countries such as India, China, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and other African countries have made traditional medicine a priority. We have also seen how the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation has used both nutrition and traditional medicine in responding to health needs. The six commissions yesterday afternoon and today focused on very important areas that will benefit our country. I am not going to mention them individually but from the reports of the commissions today and discussions it is clear that you put your minds to the issues that we need to address.

I hope that when we discussed in the commissions, we were realistic to the needs of the traditional health practitioners and that as we pave the way forward we will do this together as a country and collaborating with those countries that have expertise in this area.

This workshop is just a beginning and I expect that the knowledge gained will now enhance our focus on the institutionalisation of traditional medicine into our healthcare system. I know that it will not be an easy task but I am convinced that there well be continuous engagement and dialogue around:

* research and development
* education and training
* local production of traditional medicines
* conservation and sustainability of traditional medicinal plants
* appropriate legal framework and regulation
* collaboration, linkages and networks.

As the African Union (AU) has declared this a decade of traditional medicine we are therefore challenged to deliver on this mandate as this will assist us in Africa to meet some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The presidential task team on traditional medicine has been established and will commence its duties and functions and report to me on regular basis.

The lessons and knowledge gained from this conference will also help the workings of the presidential task team and the interim council of traditional medicine.

This meeting is a landmark conference, and we must use it in a manner that enables us to succeed with the institutionalisation of traditional medicine in our healthcare system in our country.

I am convinced that the marginalisation of our indigenous knowledge will never be trampled on again. We must be proud of our traditional medicines which predate allopathic medicines on our continent and in our country and we must improve our communication of it.

I wish to thank all of you for attending this conference and contributing to its success. Your contributions will add to the resource knowledge in our country. I wish to particularly thank our international guests for coming to our country and participating in this landmark conference on traditional medicine. You have assisted us by sharing with us your experiences and your knowledge.

We will prepare a report on the outcome of this meeting to be presented to the portfolio committee on health, and we will also share the knowledge gained here with the African Heads of States during the forthcoming AU and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) meetings.

Have a safe journey home.
Thank you

Issued by: Department of Health
10 June 2009