The Parliament of Zimbabwe’s Thematic Committee on Culture and Heritage has begun deliberations on integrating indigenous traditional medicines into the national health system, positioning the move as part of a broader effort to formalise and regulate alternative health practices.
The Committee convened to receive oral evidence from the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association and members of the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe.
According to Parliament, “the integration of traditional and conventional medicine seeks to create a complementary health framework where both systems work collaboratively for the benefit of citizens.”
Lawmakers heard that the proposed framework is intended to “promote increased access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities,” where conventional health infrastructure remains limited.
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The approach also aims to “ensure the regulation and standardisation of traditional practices, enhance research and documentation of indigenous knowledge, and strengthen patient safety.”
The Committee further noted that formal integration would help to “preserve Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage while fostering innovation within the national health delivery system.”
The deliberations come amid growing recognition of the role traditional medicine continues to play in primary healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities. However, concerns around quality control, scientific validation, and regulatory oversight are expected to feature prominently as Parliament considers how best to align indigenous practices with national health standards.
The Committee is expected to compile its findings and recommendations as part of ongoing efforts to modernise Zimbabwe’s health architecture while safeguarding cultural knowledge systems.
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