The National Health Department has announced that it is on the verge of finalising a developed framework which will pave a way for the incorporation of African traditional medicine into the country’s healthcare system.
This is according to the Department’s Director for the Traditional Medicine Unit Bruce Mbedzi who told YOU FM Newshour that plans are afoot in completing the legislation to merge the two healthcare systems at the primary healthcare level.
“As the department we have done our research, we have consulted enough.
“We know what is good for the benefit of our client as the health sector and we are continuing to finalise the implementation of this legislation and the regulations as they were passed by Parliament,” said Mbedzi.
He rejected claims that traditional health practitioners are being side-lined on policymaking and registration processes.
“It’s not true that there are those that are not consulted. There’s a certain grouping within the Traditional Health Practitioners, who are benefitting from the status quo. So, if you change the situation or implement something that will disturb their chances of benefaction, they will rise against what you are trying to do,” explained Mbedzi.
He however acknowledged that the process is not easy as there is a stern interference from those who claim that they are ignored and undermined by the process.
“There’s no single legislation in South Africa which satisfies everybody. But as indicated that the main purpose of this legislation or for the inclusion of African traditional medicine into the national healthcare system should be to the benefit of the public, remember we have the responsibility to protect the public.
“It cannot only be to the benefit of the traditional health practitioners, because the public has got the right to receive traditional medicines which are safe, which are effective, and which are of good quality.
“So, without regulating this sector there’s a lot of things that are detrimental to the public and the health of South Africans at large,” he emphasised.
Mbedzi was speaking on the eve of the 2025 National African Traditional Medicine Day commemorative event organised in Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg in the North West on Friday.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, accompanied by North West MEC for Health Sello Lehari, local government and traditional leaders are expected to lead the event that is touted to raise awareness about the significant role the traditional medicine plays in improving the health and well-being of people across the continent and beyond.
It is estimated that over 80% of people globally, especially in developing regions use traditional medicine for their primary healthcare needs.
The African Traditional Medicine Day is observed annually on the continent on 31 August to honour the integral role of traditional medicine in the health and welfare of generations of people on the continent.
