PRESS STATEMENT The SADC Ministerial Sub-Committee on Traditional Medicine met at Sheraton Hotel in Harare on 16 September 2005. The Sub-Committee consisted of Four SADC Member States and they are: Zimbabwe: Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Zimbabwe, Dr D Parirenyatwa (Chairperson of the Subcommittee) Malawi: Honourable Minister of Health, Malawi, Dr H.Ntaba Zambia: Honourable Deputy Minister of Health, Zambia, Dr K Simbao South Africa: His Excellency, Ambassador of South Africa to Zimbabwe T Makalima OBJECTIVES The objective of the meeting was to develop a framework for the coordination of Traditional Medicine in the SADC region. To achieve this main objective, three specific objectives are identified. 1. To share experiences on development and implementation of legal framework of Traditional Medicine in the four SADC Member States. 2. To share experiences on relationship between allopathic and Traditional Medicine in Member States. 3. Sharing experiences on Traditional Medicines research and Identify areas of focus to inform the draft plan of action. B DECISIONS With regard to legislation the Ministers agreed to encourage member states to start with the development of appropriate legislation on Traditional Medicine and that the legislation will cover amongst others, establishment of councils for Traditional Medicine, protection of practitioners and consumers including the issue of licensing Traditional Medical Practitioners. With regard to the relationship between allopathic and Traditional Medicine, Ministers have agreed to consider the use of parallel system but recognising the need to interact and cross referral when ever necessary. With regard to research, Ministers agreed that research in Traditional Medicine will focus on the following priority areas of HIV and AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Maternal and Child Health. The Ministers recognised the importance of mobilisation of resources towards Traditional Medicine Research. These recommendations will be presented to the Committee of SADC Health Ministers representing 14 SADC Member States