Traditional doctors who advertise that they have medicines to cure illnesses, which modern science has so far failed to cure like HIV/AIDS, are violating the law and should be disciplined by district and regional medical officers.
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare,Dr Seif RashidDeputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare,Dr Seif Rashid Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Rashid told parliament that according to 2002 Traditional and Alternative Treatment Act No. 23, it is illegal to advertise medicines, which treat incurable diseases and rectify deformed body parts. “I am ordering the Traditional Healing and Alternative Treatment Council, RMOs and DMOs to exercise their legal powers and stop such public announcements which violate the law,” Dr Rashid said. He was responding to a question by Igunga lawmaker, Dr Dalaly Kafumu, who demanded clarification behind proliferation of media advertisements and road side announcement by traditional healers claiming to possess power to treat incurable diseases or perfect some deformed body parts such as women’s hips and men’s reproductive organs. “Why are these traditional healers, who are clearly violating the law not being booked?” Dr Kafumu inquired while also making reference of effects caused by retired pastor Ambilikile Mwaisapile’s herbal concoction which got very popular among people with incurable ailments including cancer. Deputy Minister further noted that, however, these announcements and advertisements are governed by two sets of laws including that of Traditional Healing and Alternative Treatment Act and Newspapers Act. “The government will continue controlling such advertisements and announcements through the two laws,” He noted. He added that the government did test safety of herbs of Babu wa Loliondo’s concoction, but the effectiveness was better known by people who took the popular cup. Meanwhile, the government has reiterated that all medical doctors trained by public money will be required to sign a binding contract to work for the public after graduating. While responding to another question by a Special Seats lawmaker, Munde Abdallah Tambwe regarding shortage of specialist doctors in the country, the deputy minister said finalists have the obligation to serve the nation in return for the country’s resources spent on them. Ms Tambwe said in a supplementary question that Tabora Region had an acute shortage of specialist doctors while many, who went for training abroad with public funding never returned
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