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Herbalists Defy Medicines Control Authority

10 months agoSat, 02 Mar 2024 04:37:22 GMT
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Herbalists Defy Medicines Control Authority

Herbalists in Bulawayo have continued to defy a directive by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to stop selling their products two weeks ago.

As reported by the Chronicle, the herbalists claim their remedies treat ailments ranging from hypertension to supernatural afflictions.

MCAZ spokesperson Anderson Kaiyo said the banned herbs are not regulated and may pose serious health risks to the public.

He warned that those who defy the ban risk a heavy fine or imprisonment.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police will raid and arrest people who sell herbs and medicines illegally. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:

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As the police, we conduct joint operations with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe who guide us especially when there are issues of concern.

Herbalists have to be regulated or they risk being raided by the police.

A herbalist identified as Grace, who has been processing herbals for 20 years told the Chronicle that their products are natural, safe and effective. She said:

I started manufacturing herbals such as aphrodisiac root (muremberembe) which is crushed and mixed with hot water – cleaning the system.

Mutanda ngozi is another herb for protection from witchcraft and sorcery, the roots of the plant is protective properties also used to cure wounds and chronic diseases.

The use of traditional medicines has been associated with witchcraft and traditional health practitioners have been labelled as witch-doctors.

This negative stereotype of the traditional health system dates back to colonial times when European missionaries introduced the Western health care system.

People were no longer confident in their traditional healthcare system because of the stigma that had been attached to its use.

I also sell tamarind for the reduction of high blood pressure, diarrhoea, and constipation and wound healing.

Grace said she does not fear the MCAZ because she knows that her herbals are harmless and helpful.

David Mlilo, a traditional healer said it is difficult to regulate herbalists as most of them are operating individually. He said:

I noticed that there is a collective decision in the usage of herbs as traditional is guided by idlozi lakibo, however, traditional leaders should accept that they cannot treat all diseases for instance, I have adopted a medical machine to check for BP and diabetes.

Some people have died due to some traditional healers claiming to treat diseases like AIDS.

MCAZ recently warned the public against advertising medicines on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter).

More: Pindula News

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13 Comments

Pipiro · 10 months ago
Regai vanhu vaite zvavanoda hospital yacho inei plus Mari hakuna imi mune Mari itai zvamunogona
Champion · 10 months ago
They intimidate you and turn your lives into hell. Vanoziva kuti kana mukagara muchivhundusirwa pose pose hamusimudzi musoro kana kushama muromo against misrule and corruption yehurunende.
nudists · 10 months ago
@Venus ,are you male or female
Stitch · 10 months ago
How can you criminalise herbal use imi muchitadza kuti mahospitals ave nemishonga? Seems you want people to die asi the who is who in Zimbabwe varikuenda kun'anga uninterrupted as well as foreign hospitals. Chinese herbal medicines are being legally sold here saka unotoshaya kuti zvotofamba sei. Asi chenjerai kuroyana pama raids and confiscations ipapo imi vana Police
june · 10 months ago
mcaz tadii zvomovharisa inorapa batai vanotengesa zvinodhaka vauraya nyika kwete vanorapa vanhu
munhumutapa · 10 months ago
Criminalizing herbs is against the spirit of heritage based development. We should ask critical questions: Is western medicine given for free? Who produces the medicines? Who owns pharmacies? Is it that those who take western medicines don't die? MCAZ is pushing an anti-African agenda. Please leave us to enjoy our heritage and indigenous knowledge systems. How do you expect to regulate mushing wokudzinga zvidhoma?
Black Face · 10 months ago
When you see many people selling herbs it is a sign that hospitals have failed .If one goes to hospital they can't find a simple pain killer that is sold for 20 cents at a pharmacy. Hospital staff is demoralized because they are not paid adequately. Asi Zanu so !
Gamuchirai Machekanyanga · 10 months ago
Kwete kwete!! Vanhu vakudzora ndangariro. Vakuziva chakakoshera mishonga yechivanhu. Mishonga yakauya nevarungu tarisai irikukonzera kuchekwa kwevakadzi pakuzvara kwakanyanyisa. Kare kwaivhurwa masuwo. Vana Mbuya vedu vaibara kudzamara chibereko chaguma. Izvezvi kungoita mwana umwechete wakutibviswa chibereko. Vakadzi vongorwadziwa nemisana nezvimwe zvakadaro
zanupf · 10 months ago
our ancestors were polygamists because they were using herbs..asi nowadays nekuda kwe western health system mbo..ro hadzichamiri. round rimwe nemukadzi umwe hamuchagoni
Gamuchirai Machekanyanga · 10 months ago
You can say that again. Vacho varikunzi vane access to western health care varikufa dziri pwere. Ma chief edu arikusvika ma 98 nekuda kwe secret. Pachinyakare pane nyaya yese
Gamuchirai Machekanyanga · 10 months ago
Madzitateguru edu lived for long relying on traditional medicines. Imi makuita zveku western mave ne life expectancy yekuma 30 years Please do not demonise everything that is Africa by origin.
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