Work is underway by South African researchers to validate traditional medicines for HIV treatment. Picture: Independent Newspapers Archives
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
South African researchers are making groundbreaking strides in validating African traditional medicines for HIV treatment.
If successful, these efforts could not only revolutionise healthcare but also boost economic growth by formalising indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). However, despite promising scientific advancements, regulatory challenges threaten to stall progress.Two indigenous medicines developed by traditional healers are undergoing scientific evaluation, showing potential in the fight against HIV.
One of these, known as Product Nkabinde, was developed by healer Magugu Nkabinde and his family. Early research conducted by Professor Nceba Gqaleni and his team at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Africa Health Research Institute (Ahri) have revealed anti-HIV and immune-boosting properties, leading to a patent filing.
Another initiative, led by indigenous knowledge holder David Molefi, focuses on a supplement designed for HIV/Aids patients.
Professor David Katerere, of Tshwane University of Technology, is spearheading efforts to ensure its safety and pharmaceutical validation.
“These projects highlight the potential of traditional healer-academic collaboration,” said Dr Phetole Mahasha, project manager for indigenous knowledge systems at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
“For many people, especially in rural areas, traditional medicines are the first line of treatment. It’s crucial that we apply modern science to understand and validate these remedies.”
The SAMRC’s Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, in partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency, is supporting the scientific evaluation of these medicines. Researchers are conducting in-vitro studies and toxicity screenings, while preclinical studies are being handled by the SAMRC’s Primate Unit and Delft Animal Centre.
If proven effective, these medicines could be fast-tracked for South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) approval, paving the way for clinical trials and, eventually, wider distribution.
Despite these promising developments, integrating traditional medicines into mainstream healthcare remains a challenge due to regulatory barriers.
Gqaleni, a leading researcher in the field, highlights two issues – the lack of proper licensing for traditional healers and the absence of a dedicated regulatory system for traditional medicines.
“You need to regulate the practice of traditional healers so that they are licensed and registered to practice, and that is not going well,” Gqaleni said.
“Secondly, their medicines need to be registered with Sahpra, but Sahpra still does not have a regulatory system for African traditional medicine in South Africa. That is a major problem.
”Another challenge is scepticism in the medical community. “Healthcare workers were never taught anything about traditional medicine during their training, so they are sceptical,” he said.
To address this, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health partnered with a project funded by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority to train healthcare workers.
“We have already trained about 250 healthcare workers, removing misconceptions they have about traditional medicine, and we hope to expand the programme.”
Despite these efforts, South Africa still lacks a formal policy for traditional medicine. “The Traditional Health Practitioners Act calls for the registration of traditional healers, but the council has not yet registered them,” Gqaleni noted.
“There was a draft policy on traditional medicine, but it has not been officially published. Scientific validation is not just about proving efficacy, it is also about preserving indigenous knowledge,” said Gqaleni.
“Once you record it, you can preserve it for future generations. The Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation is funding research to ensure our traditional medicines are scientifically validated.”
Gqaleni is leading a clinical trial at UKZN to test Product Nkabinde. “We have completed all the laboratory work, and are preparing to recruit participants once we receive approval,” he said.
Meanwhile, some hospitals have started integrating traditional healers into healthcare systems.
At Edendale Hospital, the iTeach programme trains traditional healers to test, counsel, and start HIV patients on treatment.“It has been doing very well, and they are operating from within the hospital,” said Gqaleni.
Beyond transforming HIV treatment, formalising African traditional medicines could have significant economic benefits.
“By leveraging indigenous knowledge systems and African traditional medicines, we can create jobs, preserve biodiversity, and improve livelihoods, particularly in rural communities,” said Mahasha.
“Just as oil transformed Middle Eastern economies, South Africa’s biodiversity and indigenous knowledge could drive our growth.” However, funding remains a critical hurdle, he said
“More investment is needed to turn these research projects into scalable industries.”