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Article: African traditional medicine.(Correspondence)
- Article from:
- South African Medical Journal
- Article date:
- April 1, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 South African Medical Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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To the Editor: The Draft National Policy on African Traditional Medicine (ATM) for South Africa was published as Notice 906 in Government Gazette No. 31271 of 25 July 2008. Subsequently, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) issued a Position Paper setting out their stance on the matter.
The SAMA Position Paper states inter alia: 'It is also impossible to quantify African Traditional Medicine by using "Western" scientific methods. The approach of African Traditional Medicine is holistic and is not, and never will be, quantifiable by empirical scientific methods."
And further: 'There is risk involved in attempting to regulate traditional medicine ...