Govt Orders Crackdown on Illegal Herbalists

Government Mandates Strict Registration for Medical and Traditional Healers

Dodoma, Tanzania – In a decisive move to safeguard public health and combat the proliferation of unregulated medical practices, the Tanzanian government has ordered a stringent crackdown on unregistered doctors and traditional healers. The Minister for Health, Mr. Mohamed Mchengerwa, has issued a directive mandating that all individuals offering medical or herbal treatments must undergo formal registration processes. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the incidence of deaths and severe health complications arising from the misuse of unverified medicines and treatments administered without proper professional oversight.

The directive was formally announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, during a visit by Minister Mchengerwa to the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) pavilion. The announcement was made in the presence of traditional medicine practitioners gathered for a meeting in Dodoma. Minister Mchengerwa emphasized the critical need for all practitioners to be officially recognized through registration with the relevant professional bodies responsible for governing research and traditional medicine services within the country.

“It is unacceptable for any nation to permit individuals to claim the title of doctor or traditional healer without proper accreditation,” stated Minister Mchengerwa. “When someone dispenses medical advice or treatment, it is imperative that we know their identity and confirm their authorization to do so.”

The Minister’s pronouncements come at a time of considerable concern regarding the rapid expansion of traditional medicine outlets, particularly in Tanzania’s major urban centers. Despite significant advancements in specialized medical services across the nation, including sophisticated treatments for cancer, kidney transplants, heart surgery, neurosurgery, bone marrow transplants, and in vitro fertilization (IVF), the reliance on traditional remedies continues to grow.

A Booming, Yet Unregulated, Sector

Evidence of this burgeoning sector is vividly illustrated in areas like Dar es Salaam’s Kariakoo. What was once a district characterized by general retail shops has transformed into a hub for dozens of outlets exclusively selling herbal products. Similar trends are observable in other densely populated areas such as Mbagala, Buguruni, and Manzese, where both locally produced and imported traditional medicines are increasingly prevalent.

The economic vitality of this sector is underscored by the rental costs in prime locations like Kariakoo. Traders report that the rental fees for a single stall can range from TZS 800,000 to over TZS 2 million per month, indicating a highly profitable business model despite substantial operational expenditures.

Addressing the Risks of Unverified Treatments

Minister Mchengerwa voiced grave concerns about certain practitioners who, he noted, actively discourage patients from seeking conventional hospital treatment. Instead, these individuals reportedly recommend unverified remedies, a practice directly linked to the exacerbation of serious health problems.

“We are encountering a distressing number of cases involving young individuals, some as young as 15, 16, and 17 years old, who are developing severe kidney complications,” the Minister revealed. “This is often a consequence of improper procedures and the adoption of unverified treatments.”

In response, Minister Mchengerwa has directed the NIMR to rigorously ensure that any individual claiming to possess medicine capable of treating a disease must be officially registered and their remedies thoroughly verified. He issued a stern warning that non-compliance with these new regulations will result in legal prosecution.

Establishing a Framework for Trust and Safety

The directive aims to establish a transparent and identifiable system for all traditional medicine practitioners. “My directive is to institute a clear system for identifying all traditional medicine practitioners,” Minister Mchengerwa stated. “The government will provide protection to those who operate within the bounds of the law. However, anyone discussing or offering medicine must do so through the recognized system and have their remedies officially approved.”

Furthermore, the Minister urged the NIMR to actively disseminate information to the public regarding approved traditional medicines. He also instructed the Ministry of Health to provide support for training programs designed to enhance the professional standards of traditional medicine practitioners.

During the meeting, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, provided crucial insights into the role of traditional medicine in Tanzania. She noted that traditional medicine is utilized by approximately 60 percent of the Tanzanian population, a figure that aligns with global trends where it serves around 80 percent of people worldwide.

Dr. Magembe also highlighted the findings of inspections conducted in the previous year, which revealed alarming statistics: 17 percent of traditional medicines were found to be adulterated, and a further 25 percent were contaminated due to inadequate storage practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory intervention and stricter oversight to ensure the safety and efficacy of traditional health practices.