LIMPOPO – The African Traditional and Natural Product Medicine Conference, hosted by the University of Limpopo, was held at The Ranch Resort outside Polokwane from October 19-21.

The central theme of the conference was ‘Be Brave. Embrace African Traditional Medicines’ and sub-themes covered at the conference included communicable diseases (Covid-19, TB, HIV), non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, hypertension), cannabis in African traditional medicines, women’s health and wellness, and mental health and well-being.

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The purpose of the event was to bring researchers specialising in various areas, traditional healers and government officials under one roof to strengthen and promote South Africa and Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems.

Special focus was set on traditional medicines and how South Africa can benefit from this knowledge.

Researchers from various institutions and areas of expertise presented their latest work on traditional-medicine research, the challenges faced and their future plan of action.

Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba said students were trained in Cuba and facilities opened in other countries to strengthen the use of traditional medicines in health departments.

She said this would also help grow the economy.

“There’s consistency in terms of our department, ensuring that we engage with traditional practitioners. South Africa is a regulated country. We make sure traditional health practitioners look among themselves to identify those who are mischievous and guilty of wrong practices. We’ve got doctors in Cuba who are advanced in integrating both western and traditional medicine,” she said.