Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Maphakamile Cingwana, has urged Basotho to reconnect with their cultural foundations and embrace traditional medicine as a valuable part of the country’s health system.
Mrs. Cingwana made these remarks during the commemoration of African Traditional Medicine Day held in Lesotho on Wednesday morning. She highlighted the need for traditional medicine to be recognised and promoted nationwide, recalling how traditional remedies gained prominence during the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic and assisted many people who were infected. She further underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that traditional medicine is documented, protected, and preserved for future generations.
Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Remaketse Sehlabaka, who is also a practising herbalist, said it is the nation’s responsibility to safeguard its own health and knowledge systems. He expressed concern that people from other countries often influence how Basotho live, while local plants with medicinal value remain underutilised. He encouraged the public to educate themselves about health matters and understand how indigenous plants can be effectively used.
Mr. Sehlabaka also referenced to Agenda 2030, noting that although it acknowledges traditional medicine, Basotho have been excluded from its implementation. “Traditional medicine is described as complementary when, in fact, it should be the cornerstone, with Western medicines playing the complementary role,” he said.
