Browsing by Author "Dunn, Shaun Bradley Adrian"

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    Investigating the challenges and benefits of traditional medicine: Case study Tanzania
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Dunn, Shaun Bradley Adrian; Mungongo, Claude; Kelly, Candice; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management of Sciences. School of Public Leadership
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditional medicine is widely used across the world. In developing countries, it plays an integral role in the culture and way of life of both traditional communities and those living in urban settings. In developed countries, traditional medicine has renewed appeal due to discontent with western medicine. However, traditional medicine is experiencing numerous challenges. This study was conducted in Tanzania and aimed to understand the challenges to and benefits of traditional medicine in an East African setting. A qualitative approach was taken, exploring the existing literature to understand the challenges and benefits, and then conducting empirical research via a case study, to explore the lived experiences of these challenges and benefits in Tanzania. Interviews were conducted with eleven traditional healers in Dar es Salaam and the Manyara region, as well as two experts from a university setting. These findings were thematically analysed. This study found that traditional medicine plays a key role in the lives of Tanzanian people. It is widely used as it is more accessible than conventional healthcare; it provides livelihoods for many; retains strong links to culture, and its medicines have other benefits for the body. The sector is poorly regulated, with very little government support provided to healers. Plant resources are increasingly threatened and biopiracy already occurs. Programmes seeking to strengthen traditional medicine should focus on protecting biodiversity for future use, and finding ways to commercialise traditional medicine to take advantage of the increased global demand, while sharing benefits with those communities who developed the knowledge.