Government Authorizes Chinese Traditional Medicine Men To Start Practicing In Kenya

Government is now opening doors for Chinese to practice what they call alternative in Kenya. Ministry of health in a letter seen by Kenya Insights, authorized s Chinese herbal firm Shengxun Xian to open clinics and run their businesses in Kenya.

Even though the public health(Cap.242) recognizes the use of alternative medicine, Kenyan health officials are questioning the criteria used in determining the safety of the Chinese alternative medicine.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Thuranira Kaugiria asked the ministry, “ What are the  qualifications of being registered as a Chinese alternative medicine man ? When are witchdoctors being authorized since they offer alternative medicine?”

Could this be the Universal Health Coverage they’ve been talking about that will open up doors to many Chinese medicine men streaming into Kenya? Talking of China, authorities recently arrested a Chinese citizen in Kilimani with cartons of suspected fake ARVS.

Questions that lingers in many people’s minds as Chinese medicine come to Kenya is what qualifications one must hold to practice alternative medicine as they call it? Whether there’s national guidelines on the use of Chinese alternative medicine and if this is a plain sailing directive by government for Kenyans to considering Chinese medicine.

While Chinese medicine are used worldwide, will they be subjected to toxity tests and which board like Incase of doctors Theresa a regulatory board that will regulate the Chinese medicine? In the same breath, it’s time to issue our witch doctors and herbalists with the licenses as well?