Answer to Question #219169 in English for Nomhle Masimula

Question

Do a bit of research and write a two-page report on how traditional healers and western
medical doctors discover their medicines. Pay particular attention to the PROCESS they
follow in order to discover new medicines.

Answer 1

Health care in Africa is an emotive and complex issue that needs to be thoroughly investigated. Throughout the African continent, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, psychiatric conditions and other diseases are taking a huge toll especially in the poorer communities (Fennell et al, 2004).

Traditional healing used to be concentrated a lot in the rural areas of Africa because of the inclination towards traditional way of living in those areas. However, in the 21^st century the situation has changed. Traditional health care services are no longer confined largely in the rural traditional villages alone but have spilled over into the urban and semi-urban areas with the influx of people from rural to urban areas in search of better economic conditions.

The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems. In many parts of rural Africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most easily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local community and at times the only therapy that subsists.

The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems. In many parts of rural Africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most easily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local community and at times the only therapy that subsists.

Western Medicine excels in the areas of testing and diagnostics. Most individuals in this country who are living with a chronic health condition received their diagnosis from a doctor practicing western medicine. The goal of western medical doctors in treating people with long-term disease or condition is to:

• Diagnose the disease
• Stop disease progression
• Relieve the symptoms associated with the disease,
• Prevent the spread of the disease
• Cure the disease (if a cure is available)
• Improve quality of life

Western medice eaning is based on the reliance of being able to recreate experimentation and field testing in order to establish provable, credible, and predictable results.