National Health Act
8 June 2006
International health experts from eight countries and representatives from
the World Health Organisation (WHO) and African Union (AU) will form part of
the delegation to attend the South African conference on the inclusion of
traditional medicines in the national health system.
The list of delegates include policymakers, researchers, medical
practitioners, traditional health practitioners and government officials from
as far as India, China, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
as well as scientists from the pharmaceutical industry, Medical Research
Council (MRC) and Medicine Control Council (MCC).
The purpose of the conference to be held at Kopanong Conference Centre in
Benoni this Friday is to exchange knowledge about best practices with a view to
increase capacity and ensure successful implementation of the inclusion of
traditional medicine in the national health system.
The discussions will be on the following:
* legal framework and regulation of traditional medicine
* practicing of traditional medicine
* research and development of traditional medicine
* training of traditional medicine practitioners
* conservation and local production of traditional medicinal plants
* identifying mechanisms for protection of traditional medicine knowledge
* exploring relationships between government and traditional health
practitioners.
The Department of Health has demonstrated tremendous commitment in dealing
with traditional medicine by developing the National Drug Policy, which
recognises the potential role and benefits of available remedies of African
traditional medicines.
The media is invited for the Ministerâs keynote address as follows:
Time: 10h00
Date: Friday, 9 June 2006
Venue: Kopanong Conference Centre, Boksburg
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
8 June 2006
