State approves traditional medicine use

DODOMA: A PATIENT in Tanzania can now choose to receive traditional medicine, conventional medicine, or both, following the Ministry of Health’s approval to offer traditional medicine in 14 regional referral hospitals across the country.

This follows the government’s research on 42 varieties of traditional medicines, of which over 30 were approved after being proven, beyond reasonable doubt, to be safe for human consumption.

The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Grace Maghembe, revealed this recently during the opening of African Traditional Medicine Week at Chinangali Park in Dodoma, noting that due to the improved standards of traditional medicines produced in Tanzania, the approved varieties are now being exported, reflecting the trust users place in them.

Dr Maghembe said Tanzania is collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in sharing information on research conducted in the field of alternative medicine, as the country is determined to formalise and strengthen the sector.

She noted that several public institutions, including Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, are jointly conducting various studies on traditional medicines to ensure their safety for human use.

Speaking on the commemoration, Dr Maghembe said African Traditional Medicine Week has been marked for the past 23 years, following its approval by African Heads of State and leaders in Lilongwe, Malawi.

She explained that the initiative was launched after it was established that about 80 per cent of Africans, including Tanzanians, rely on traditional medications.

According to the Chief Medical Officer, this year’s commemorations are being marked under the theme: “Strengthening Traditional Remedies with Scientific Evidences.”

Representing Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the well-attended event that brought together traditional herbalists, researchers, health specialists and manufacturers, Dodoma Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Dr Khatibu Kazungu, said the country has taken significant steps towards enhancing the traditional medicine sector.

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Dr Kazungu outlined some of the measures taken by the government so far, including formulating a guiding policy for the industry, promoting research and strengthening the regulation of natural medicine practitioners.

Meanwhile, earlier on the same day when opening the 4th Traditional Medicine Scientific Conference on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health on Friday, Director of Health, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, Dr Ahmad Makuwani said traditional medicine remains the first point of care for many people.

Dr Makuwani stressed the need to integrate validated traditional medicines into national treatment guidelines and referral systems to achieve health equity.

“Our goal is not to replace one system with another, but to build an inclusive healthcare system that draws from both modern and traditional sources of healing in line with Tanzania’s Development Agenda 2050,” he added.

National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Director General, Prof Said Aboud, said the government has invested heavily in laboratory infrastructure to boost herbal medicine research.

He said more than 80 modern machines have been installed at NIMR’s Mabibo Centre for quality control, while 14 hospitals across the country are already offering integrated services using registered herbal medicines.

Clinical trials are underway in partnership with Muhimbili and Ocean Road hospitals to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of herbal remedies in managing cervical, prostate and breast cancers.

Prof Aboud further noted that NIMR has strengthened collaboration with traditional medicine practitioners and development partners, both local and international, to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.

“This 4th conference reflects our continued journey. It demonstrates our conviction that traditional medicine is an essential part of an inclusive health system in Tanzania. However, the number of studies remains limited due to financial challenges,” he said.

To address this, NIMR has acquired large-scale processing machines at its Mabibo plant, with full production expected to start in October. The facilities will also be open to herbal producers to improve product quality.

This year’s conference runs under the theme “Advancing Traditional Medicine for Health Equity, Innovation and Sustainable Development.”