The IFP applauds the efforts to regulate traditional healers but warns that if the procedure is as irrational as that which now regulates the Allied Health Professions, it will cause confusion and conflict in the realm of traditional healing and delay the process towards building a respectable registry of herbal medicines for use by South African of all races and classes.

There is considerable overlap between the practice of conventional western herbalism and traditional medicine. Similarly Chinese medicine involves a careful study and use of herbal combinations. If the procedures for registering Chinese medicines and herbal medicines varies from that of registering traditional medicines there are sure to be legal challenges.

However, if government attempts to apply the same standards of registration to traditional medicines, Chinese western herbal and homeopathic medicines the fundamental principles of each profession are overlooked in favour of a conventional western design for quality, efficacy and safety.

Those members of the public with experience of the parallels and differences between the various paradigms of herbalism are encouraged to come forward as soon as possible to make written representation on this bill. The IFP would particularly welcome their comments, emailed to mlubiyela@hotmail.com, so that we can ensure a more effective Council for Traditional healers than we have for the allied health professions.