Bolivia Recognizes Practitioners of Traditional Medicine in Potosí

The Ministry of Health and Sports has delivered credentials to traditional medicine providers in the department of Potosí in order to register, regulate and guarantee the exercise and practice of traditional medicine in Bolivia.

“As the Ministry of Health and Sports, we’re very proud to be present at this event to make the delivery of these national credentials. It’s very important that our traditional medicine be practiced legally and it is time for you as providers to be recognized nationally,” said the General Director of Traditional Medicine, Maritza Patzi, during the presentation of credentials.

On this occasion, 18 providers of traditional medicine from different areas of the highland department were registered in the Traditional Medicine Registration System (SISMET-RUMETRAB).

Patzi highlighted the importance of traditional ancestral medicine for the health and well-being of Bolivians but said that there is still a long way to go, particularly in the research of the wide array of plants which can be found in Bolivia.

“We must work on the articulation of our medicine, rescuing ancestral knowledge for the good of our communities, complying with Law 459, the Ministry of Health is waiting for our medicine to be recognized worldwide,” she said.

There are currently 583 registered providers in Potosí with the credentials to legally exercise their knowledge, wisdom, experience and practice traditional medicine.

Source: Bolivian Ministry of Health and Sports