On the 20th March 2009 the Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb marked an important milestone when R2Million was awarded to the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Foundation (UKZNF) for the construction of the first African Traditional Medicine Laboratory.

Over the next five years, the Institute has committed a further R5 million.

This comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Institute and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Foundation (UKZNF) in February 2008 to facilitate the promotion and practice of Unani-Tibb, together with African Traditional Medicine and is in support of the initiative led by UKZN's Prof Nceba Gqaleni- Chair in Indigenous Health Care Systems. Prof Gqaleni, a leading scientist at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine and his team have conducted basic and applied research into traditional medicine and African healthcare systems.

In 2007 Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine was awarded a Research Chair on Indigenous Healthcare Systems from the Department of Science and Technology. The mission of the chair is to promote African Traditional medicine through excellence in research and to become a centre of choice for traditional health practitioners, indigenous knowledge holders and scientists for research of African Traditional Medicine. Training will include short courses, bridging modules and undergraduate courses. The MoU between the Institute and UKZN will facilitate the inclusion of Unani-Tibb training at UKZN. Of significance is the fact that Unani-Tibb and African Traditional Medicine share many common philosophical principles and practices.

For the Institute this milestone is an initiative in the upliftment of Traditional systems of medicine in Southern Africa. It is anticipated that within the next two years the training of Unani-Tibb at undergraduate and Postgraduate level will commence at the UKZN.

LAUNCH OF TIBB MEDICAL CENTRE, SURREY ESTATE, ATHLONE

The Tibb Medical Centre, was launched at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, Klipfontein Road, Surrey Estate on 17 July 2008.   Officially opened by   Premier Ebrahim Rasool, the Centre is a huge milestone for Tibb in South Africa. Special guests at the launch included Sheikh Igsaan Taliep; Vice Rector of the International Peace University of South Africa, Mrs Debbie Drake-Hoffman Registrar of the Allied Health Professions Council of S.A., Dr James Campbell; Acting Head of the School of Natural Medicine from the University of the Western Cape, Ms Patricia De Villiers; Deputy Director: Health Promotion- Department of Health and Ms Synnov Skorge; Director- Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women & Children.   Various other NGO's and Government Departments were also represented.

The Clinic will be offering much needed medical services to victims and survivors of gender based violence, many of whom are women and children seeking help at the Saartjie Baartman Centre.   Tibb doctors are also available to assist the surrounding communities, offering holisitc treatment for all illnesses. Other therapies such as Cupping and Aromatherapy Massage will also be offered at the Tibb Medical Centre.

In addition, the Medical Centre will also be used as a training site for Unani-Tibb students currently studying at University of Western Cape,School of Natural Medicine.

Strategically situated on the borders of Surrey Estate (a middle income group) and Gugulethu, Manenberg and Heideveld on the Cape Flats (an area with extremely high rates of crime, gangsterism, child abuse, unemployment, substance abuse and domestic violence), the Centre is located to serve Tibb's ideologies of Social Resposnsibilty as well as to offer effective Medical Solutions to a wide array of social and economic sectors.

There are few resources available in the surrounding areas and as a result Tibb will play an important part to bringing affordable, natural healthcare to the area.

 

For further information contact:
Caroline Davids on:
021 638 4487;
e-mail carolined@tibb.co.za .