Three traditional clinics banned due to violation of the regulations

The three traditional and alternative medicine clinics, which have been deregistered and banned from providing such services are Foreplan Clinic, owned by Juma Mwaka, Fadhaget Sanitarium Clinic, owned by Fadhil Kabujanja and Mandai Herbal Clinic owned by Abdallah Mandai.

Council Chairperson Dr Edmund Kayombo said the decision was reached after it was found out that some advertisements and promotion material by the clinics through several radio and television stations did not have the council’s approval.

According to him, the herbalists and alternative medicine practitioners have continued to campaign and promote natural remedies and alternative treatments to the public, contrary to the prohibition of such things made by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children.

Dr Kayombo stated that Msigwa Herbal Clinic, owned by Simon Rusigwa, and Lupimo Sanitorium Clinic, owned by John Lupimo, had been suspended from providing treatment to the public for six months.

He noted that the council had served a strongworded letter to two traditional and alternative clinics namely Aman Herbal Clinic, owned by Esbon Baroshigwa, and Ndulu Herbal Clinic, owned by Castory Ndulu, for violating laws and regulations governing their activities.

According to the law, herbalists are supposed to ensure that before sending the advertisements to the media; they must first be screened and approved by the council. Moreover, information relating to natural cure and alternative treatment must be reviewed by the council before they reach the public.

“The reason for giving them permit is to remove the possibility of the existence of incorrect and improper advertisements and wrong information that will undermine the natural remedies and alternative treatment sub-sector.

We should understand that the traditional and alternative medicine subsector touches the lives and health of many people directly and, therefore, it is better for them to be conducted in a proper way without affecting the lives of the people,” noted Dr Kayombo.

He gave the example of some programmes that had been aired and advertised in both the electronic and print media as well as other social networks on traditional and alternative medical treatment, which were found to be unethical and against the rules and regulations governing the sub-sector.