LCC to register traditional healers
Written by Millennium on May 18, 2019
LINDA SOKO TEMBO writes
LUSAKA City Council (LCC) will next month embark on the registration exercise of traditional healers/herbalists in the city.
This follows the realisation that some of them and those dealing in imported herbal medicines were illegally conducting their businesses.
In statement issued to the Sun, public relations manager George Sichimba said like any other businesses, traditional healers/herbalists were required by law to register with the council and obtain business permits before embarking on their activities.
Mr Sichimba, said after registering with the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ), traditional healers should proceed to LCC and obtain business permits.
“Local authorities are mandated by law to register and regulate all businesses in their respective districts. However, many traditional healers and those dealing in imported herbal medicines have not formalised their businesses in Lusaka,” he said.
Mr Sichimba said the situation made it difficult for the local authority to monitor their activities.
He said the registration exercise was meant to protect the public from being duped by some unscrupulous traditional healers whose whereabouts and personal details could not be established.
He said the move followed a fruitful consultative meeting with THPAZ executive led by its president ‘Dr’ Rodwell Vongo.
Mr Sichimba said LCC would soon meet all traditional healers to sensitize them on the registration exercise and the provisions of the law.
He said foreign traditional healers and local herbalists would also be required to register with THPAZ and LCC before being allowed to practice.
