1. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE LANDSCAPE IN SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL UNITARY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR AFRICAN TRADITIONAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS OF SOUTH AFRICA (NUPAATHPSA)
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE LANDSCAPE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Lizwi Solly Nduku
General Secretary
November 14th, 2012

2. FORMAT OF PRESENTATION
Status of African Traditional Medicine in South Africa
Advances made in African Traditional Medicines
Opportunities
Challenges
Conclusion

3. STATUS OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Majority of people in South Africa still rely on the services of Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs)
Traditional Medicines is tolerated and yet to be formally institutionalized
AU Heads of States and Government , through the AU Ministers of Health, Declared 2011 – 2020 as Second Decade of African Traditional Medicines
South Africa is part of the SADC Committee on Traditional Medicines
South Africa developed Acts & Legislations on IKS. e.g. THP Act No. 22 of
2007
There is a huge biodiversity which is 10% of the Worlds Biodiversity with
approx THPs
Attempts are acknowledged for the unification of the THP sector.

4. ADVANCES MADE IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINES Cont.
The sector acknowledges the Countries progress in this regards, however,……
Establishment of a Directorate of Traditional Medicine within NDOH
DST-IKS Policy 2004
DST-IKDL approach*-Documentation
DST-National Office of IKS, 2006
DST-IP from Publicly financed Research, Act No.51, of 2008
DEA- National Biodiversity Management Act ( NEMBA), Act No.10, 2004
DEA: Regulations on Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit-sharing, 2007
DOH-Traditional Health Practitioners Act, Act No.22 of 2007

5. ADVANCES MADE IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINES Cont.
DOH- Traditional Medicines Committees of MCC ( CTC, ATMC)
DTI - Patent Amendment Bill no.17 of 2005
DTI- IP & IK Protection Policy: Interfacing protection and commercialization of
traditional knowledge systems with the existing intellectual property system***.
Research in South Africa on African Traditional Medicines is taking a positive
turn
Strides have been made with regards to bioprospecting
Noting the process that is underway of looking at registration and certification of
Indigenous Knowledge Holders by DST – IKS unit

6. OPPORTUNITIES
Huge Traditional Medicine knowledge generally accepted by patients and consumers – to be harnessed into national Health Programs. e.g. Primary Health Care Program, Care for the sick and Dying at home (Hospices and Old age Homes)
Biodiversity of medicinal plants for scientific research and development and their Industrialization and contribution to secondary economies
Collaborative research programs and projects in human capacity development for THPs, vs. training of biomedical workers on the management of patients with mental health problems
Participation and contribution in National Reconciliatory efforts
Science research, when fully supported, could put African Traditional Medicines, in global picture, and possibly influence Policy change

7. CHALLENGES – POLICY FORMULATION & RESEARCH
THP Act 22, 2007
MCC – Total neglect on the registration and Regulation of African
Traditional Medicines.
Ethical approval process which is not appropriate and
friendly to African traditional medicines clinical research.
There is need to test traditional medicines in clinical trials to protect
consumers and to add value to ATM products.
The research should be done in full meaningful participation of
THPs.
MCC needs total revamping and proposing a separate Council for
the registration and regulation of ATM products.
Research Support - Increased financial support for research of ATM to
commercialization
- It is important to support clinical trials on ATM
- Ring fence funding for ATM research – Look at current
Funding models for Research in South Africa.

8. CHALLENGES – POLICY FORMULATION & RESEARCH
Cont.
Acknowledge the Dti Patent Act (DTI - Patent Amendment Bill no.17 of 2005) but IP issues not fully addressed.
THP Council and THP accreditation .
Institutionalization of ATM .
Business Development and Industry based on ATM not supported (Dti to give incentives and tax breaks for ATM small companies).
Budget for the Traditional Medicine Directorate.
A separate ATM Directorate outside NDOH .
Need for capacity building and resource mobilization of ATM and THPs.
Policies and Legislations that have direct impact on THPs where there was no consultation.
Policies and Legislations that do not talk to each other as they relate to ATM and IKS matters.
Proper acknowledgement and recognition of contribution of THPs in health matters
AU 2ND Decade of ATM and the Country’s Vision 20/30 as enablers, is hampered by lack of implementation of the THP Act No. 22 of 2007, and lack of Policy on ATM

9. CONCLUSION
We acknowledge the initiatives from NDOH on matters of ATM and THPs, however:
All Government departments that deal with IKS and THP matters must use a proper consultative approach and engage with organized groups of THPs.
There is need to support ATM research – Some Research Units (MRC, and others ) should be commended on the research they do with communities and THPS and should be supported.
THPs should able to decide and handle all matters pertaining to them and not be decided for by others ( No top down decision making).