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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.
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