GUEST COLUMNIST: Traditional medicine beyond myths
When I was a nursing student, I used to find patients with therapeutic marks on different parts of their bodies, and I recall my fellow students relating those marks to witchcraft. Most of the people in Tanzania associate traditional medicine with the supernatural, and consequently do not prefer traditional medicine as an alternative practice to relieve or cure some diseases.
This situation is quite different compared to other countries such as India or China where traditional medicines are highly regarded as esteemed medical remedies that are backed by scientific facts. In such places, traditional medicines are used for various medical purposes such as treatment of diseases and industrial medicine development.
Why is traditional medicine regarded as a supersition?
Dr Paul Mhame, Assistant Director, Traditional and Alternative Medicine Unit in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children explains that the majority of Tanzanians neither know nor appreciate their history. Foreigners during colonial rule likened traditional healers, traditional practices and their setting with witchcraft related practices.
However, the use of traditional medicines goes as far back as the colonial era where traditional healers tried to disrupt white people who want to destruct their practices but it has nothing to do more than securing their practices. People regard traditional medicine practices as a myth due to the fact that many religious groups undermine traditional medicine. Many traditional health practitioners’ facilities and attire are believed to be superstitious.
Similarly, during the colonial era, traditional medicine was regarded as a threat to business and the modern medicine.
Currently, traditional medicine stands as a threat to modern medicine instead of complementing it. In order to advance traditional medicine, we as Tanzanians need to change such negative attitudes.
Government role in promoting traditional medicine
Traditional and alternative medicine is being integrated into the National Health Policy as it has a significant contribution to the provision of healthcare services in Tanzania. Currently, 60 per cent of the Tanzanian population seeks healthcare services from traditional health practitioners. Moreover, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), the traditional health practitioner’s coverage within the community is 1: 750 as per WHO standards, contrary to conventional health practitioners with only 1: 20,000
The Government through the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children has set regulations, guidelines, code of ethics and conduct to govern the traditional medicine practices.
Among the malpractices prohibited include killings, superstitious beliefs and practices. If a registered traditional health practitioner is found liable for malpractice, they will be held liable for a criminal offence as stated under the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act 23 of 2002 and other legislation accordingly.
Opportunities in traditional medicine
The myth surrounding traditional health medicine hinders the community from exploring great opportunities in this field.
Traditional medicine provides ample opportunities for investors and businessmen to establish industries that consume raw materials from more than 12,000 medicinal plant species across the country, while simultaneously upholding the government’s industrialisation policy.
It is also a great opportunity for all 126 ethnic groups to utilise their ethnic knowledge and come up with medicines that may be used for many years to improve the quality of life or cure diseases.
The author is a registered nurse (RN) with Traditional and Alternative Health Practice Council in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children.
