in the process of bringing traditionally used plant species from the field into
the clinic, dispensary and hospital. In African states seeking to promote the
rational use of TMs, attention must be given in the first instance to correct
species identification, because very few traditional herbs are cultivated and
almost all raw material is obtained from the wild. Consequently, misidenti-
fication or adulteration can easily occur. Once in the marketplace, TMs are
frequently encountered in a form (dried, powdered, comminuted) that
renders identification (ID) impossible. Classical microscopy has been used
as an aid to the ID of African TMs, as have high-performance liquid chro-
matography/thin-layer chromatography (HPLC/TLC) fingerprints21,22and
infrared scans.^24
Budgets permitting, TLC and HPLC results can be quantified and used
as the basis of an assay. Even if the therapeutically active components of a
TM are unknown, quantities of major constituents can serve as a prelimi-
nary guide to potency, pending identification of ‘actives’. Other quantitative
procedures, e.g. alcohol- and/or water-soluble extractive values and volatile
oil content are useful low-cost indicators of quality.
Access
Official recognition of the role of TM providers
Many treatments prescribed by TPs have proven therapeutic effects and as
such are more readily accepted by health agencies and western allopathic
practitioners as effective. Indeed, TPs are collaborating with governments in
implementing national health programmes in some countries, e.g. Zambia
and Zimbabwe.^70 Traditional medical practitioner associations (TMAs)
have been formed in most states in the WHO African Region; many have
formal links with their health ministries and are recognised as having posi-
tive inputs into their healthcare systems. Some TMAs have been formed
with the objective of promoting TMs, improving cooperation between TPs
and health agencies, and addressing relevant legal issues. The situation with
regard to TMAs varies between states; in some cases, e.g. Namibia, Kenya,
only one TMA is given official recognition while in others several TMAs
exist. Many African TPs do not, however, belong to a TMA, making official
recognition of their role difficult.
Cooperation between TM providers and allopathic practitioners
Collaboration between African traditional and western allopathic medical
practitioners at the local primary healthcare level may constitute a first step
towards integration of traditional medical practice into national healthcare
systems. Successful collaboration at this level in the WHO African Region has
been driven by the current HIV/AIDS crisis, where the training of TPs in
necessary allopathic procedures has been encouraged. In South Africa,^71
110 | Traditional medicine