Traditional Medicine

9.1 Overview

Traditional healers are people recognised by their communities in the use of indigenous medications (aka traditional medicine) and therapies in health care. Traditional medicine remains strong in developing countries such as South Africa due to its affordability, availability and role in predominant belief systems. It is also growing rapidly in developing countries in the form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), where patients use both biomedical and traditional forms of medicine.

The WHO estimates up to 80% of people in Africa make use of traditional medicine. ( WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005) According to estimates referred to by the SA National Department of Health in the Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa (1.9MB), there are approximately 200,000 active traditional health practitioners in South Africa and 80% of South Africans consult traditional health practitioners. (Note: estimates range from 60%-80% in other literature)

In South Africa, traditional healing practices include "acupuncture, divination, herbalism, reflexology, shiatsu, and 'spiritual healing", according to the American Journal of Nursing. African traditional medicine is most closely liked to herbal medicine.

Sangomas and iNyangas are popular traditional healers in South Africa.

• Sangomas believe that they build relationships with ancestral spirits that can assist them in the diagnosis and cure of physical and psychological illnesses
• iNyangas are essentially herbalists, working mainly with indigenous plants to provide medical treatments and cures

Both groups of healers are often consulted by people living with HIV/AIDS when they exhibit symptoms. Because healers are skilled at treating secondary or opportunistic infections, many South Africans and healers assume that they can treat and/or cure AIDS, though there is no known long-term cure for AIDS.

9.2 Tension Between Medical Disciplines

Most friction between biomedical and traditional arms of medicine stems from the conventional science notion of "material causation". Biomedical doctors generally look at the physical causes of an illness and treat them accordingly. Traditional healers generally look at other factors including spiritual causes. The WHO has recommended that traditional healers and practitioners of Western medicine share their knowledge and collaborate where possible.

9.3 Legislation

In 2003, the South African Parliament passed the Traditional Health Practitioners' Bill, giving formal recognition to traditional health practitioners in South Africa. The Bill also provides for a "regulatory framework to ensure the efficacy, safety and quality of traditional health care services" and gives patients recourse in instances of malpractice.

traditional healers to issue prescriptions for medications and give sick leave. The Bill prevents traditional healers who are not registered with the Traditional Health Practitioners' Council from offering treatment or cures for AIDS or other terminal diseases.

9.4 Research

The WHO states that "traditional medicines need to be evaluated for safety, efficacy and quality before they can either accepted or rejected from national health policies". (WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005)