Malawi government on Tuesday signed the memorandum of understanding on traditional medicine with the People’s Republic of China to enhance traditional healers.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe at Capital Hill, Minister of health Dr Peter Kumpalume said this is a way of showing commitment on traditional medicines
“We are drafting national policy once is finalised and adopted, it will provide a framework for a well-coordinated accreditation and registration system for traditional medicine practitioners in the country,” Kumpalume said, Nyasa Times reports.
Kumpalume also said that 80% of African estimated population use traditional medicine to prevent and cure infectious diseases.
The MOU will strengthen the efforts and gains so far achieved realising that Chinese people are very advanced in the field of traditional medicine.
The Vice President of National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Guoqiang said the main reason to visit Malawi was to strengthen the cooperation between the Ministry of Health in Malawi and in China especially in aspect of Malaria control in the country, the report says.
Mutharika commended China for its contribution to the country stating that Malawi has benefited from China since the establishment of bilateral relationship.
Apart from health support, China has assisted Malawi in its infrastructure development.
“This year Malawi and China will be celebrating 10 years of fruitful bilateral relationship and it is worth to say that since 2007, the country has seen the construction of Bingu International Conversion Centre (BICC), Parliament Building, Bingu National Stadium, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Chitipa Karonga road,” Said Mutharika.
Minister of Health, Kumpalume urged Malawians to distinguish between traditional medicines with witchcraft and accept them as they do with other medicines.
