The government has reaffirmed its commitment to recognizing and supporting traditional and alternative medicine as an essential part of Tanzania’s healthcare system.
Speaking during a joint supervision exercise in Dar es Salaam on March 6, 2025, Dr. Winifrida Kidima, Acting Assistant Director of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Unit at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the growing contribution of traditional medicine in improving public health.
"Traditional medicine continues to enhance people’s well-being and treat various illnesses. To maximize its benefits, practitioners must follow established health guidelines and regulations," she stated.
Dr. Kidima emphasized that traditional medicine is becoming more effective when service providers comply with national health standards.
She urged practitioners to register their medicines and ensure they meet required safety and quality benchmarks to protect the public.
"The government is committed to improving oversight of traditional medicine to align it with modern healthcare needs. By following proper procedures, we can enhance its effectiveness and credibility," she added.
Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam Regional Medical Officer, Dr. Mohamed Mang'una, stressed the need for continuous monitoring of traditional and alternative medicine practices.
He called on the Ministry of Health to conduct regular inspections, especially in Dar es Salaam, in collaboration with regional and district health coordinators.
"Traditional medicine practitioners should improve their service areas by ensuring proper infrastructure. This will help enhance efficiency and provide better healthcare to the public," he advised.
Dr. Mang'una noted that maintaining high standards will build public confidence in traditional medicine while ensuring that practitioners operate within a safe and regulated environment.
The Ministry of Health, through its Traditional and Alternative Medicine Unit, conducted a joint supervision exercise in three districts of Dar es Salaam—Ubungo, Kigamboni, and Ilala.
The assessment focused on service delivery and ensuring practitioners adhered to national health regulations.
According to the Ministry, such oversight is essential in identifying challenges and strengthening the role of traditional and alternative medicine as a complementary part of Tanzania’s healthcare system.
The government remains committed to working closely with traditional medicine practitioners to promote safe and effective treatments.
Authorities have urged practitioners to seek additional training, adopt best practices, and comply with health protocols to improve service delivery.
The supervision exercise, conducted in partnership with district health coordinators, concluded on March 6, 2025.