The Gauteng Department of Health and about 500 traditional healers from around the province will on Friday, 30 August commemorate African Traditional Medicine Day at Dudua Multi-Purpose Centre in Ekurhuleni.
This follows the decision made by the Organisation of African Union in 2001 to integrate African Traditional Medicine within the health system. The decision was endorsed by African Ministers of Health and Heads of governments.
Since then, Gauteng Department of Health recognises the role of traditional medicine and its practitioners as important allies in achieving better health for all citizens of the province.
One of the steps taken by the department to officially recognise the African traditional medicine and traditional healers was a creation of a Directorate of Traditional Medicine. The staff under this unit continuously offers support to traditional healers as well as municipalities with the formation of bylaws.
Under the theme: Traditional Medicine Research and Development, government officials and traditional healers will share national experience on research and development of traditional medicine, strategies for a plan for utilising traditional medicine as well as understand progress made in regulation and institutionalising traditional medicine in health care delivery.
The African traditional medicine week which commenced on 22 August is utilised to create a formal relationship between government and traditional health practitioners and to understand African traditional medicine profile.
During the celebrations, there will be exhibitions, cultural dances as well as presentations by representatives from Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gauteng Department of Health and South African Bureau of Standards.
There will also be talks on best practices of traditional medicine, initiation schools and environmental health bylaws. Journalists are invited to attend.
Details of the celebrations are as follows:
Date: Friday, 30 August 2013
Time: 10h00
Venue: Duduza Multi-Purpose Centre, Ekurhuleni
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
