adminSekuru Chisanyu
WHEN looking at traditional medicine healthcare systems locally and internationally, we are talking of systems which are effective, affordable, locally available and sustainable.
Traditional health practitioners in Zimbabwe have a huge clientele locally and from surrounding countries — and sometimes from overseas — because of their good performance.
Nowadays traditional medicine practice systems are at risk because of the fast change of natural environments, foreign products, culture as well as global economic and political issues.
Not only adherents of African religion use traditional medicine. Each and every country has its own way of using traditional medicine.
Traditional medicine practice is recognised over the world and is accepted by the majority of the world population. Traditional medicine and knowledge are of great value in their contribution to health and economy.
There is evidence of traditional medicine demonstrating its importance for the well-being of the world’s population concerning primary healthcare delivery systems.
As such, there is need for WHO guidelines to ensure conservation of bio-diversity for the sustainability of medicinal resources.
The economic value of traditional medicine is seen mostly in the area of payments for travelling, food, revenues, international and regional workshops and accommodation from the patient and practitioner travelling from one country to another.
A person travelling from Durban to Zimbabwe for the purpose of treatment by a practitioner in Harare would properly make a budget for his journey, sometimes involving relatives. This is all money coming Zimbabwe.
Even before reaching the practitioner, the patient invests a lot of money by way of travel and accommodation, including taxable expenses related to foreigners coming into Zimbabwe. These can also include fuel costs, food and others.
And they may also decide to stay a little longer and visit places of tourist interest. Industries over the world are making huge profits from packaging traditional medicine.
It is true and correct that traditional medicine is always easily accessible, cheap and prices are negotiable.
There is no recorded evidence of patients who have been turned away from a traditional medical practitioner due to poverty.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu is president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter