Preclinical and clinical research
The type of research we undertake aims to scientifically validate the role traditional medicine(s) in health care. To achieve this, the following objectives guide our research:
• To generate evidence to strengthen strategies for genuine engagement and trust between traditional health practitioners, modern health practitioners and researchers;
• To improve the evidence base for safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicines;
• To strengthen the infrastructure and human resource capacity for traditional medicine research;
• To generate evidence to inform integration of traditional medicine into the national healthcare system;
• To facilitate documentation and protection of indigenous health knowledge.
Health Systems Research and Policy on Traditional Medicine
· We conduct research that will strengthen the traditional and public health care system and TM policy
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Zhandire T, Ngcobo M, Gqaleni N, Gomo E. 2021. Attitudes and perceptions of traditional health practitioners towards patient medical records in their practice in eThekwini Municipality, Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Health Information Management Journal: 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1177/1833358320984004
Mbatha N, Gomo E, Gqaleni N, Ngcobo M. 2019. Core competencies acquired in indigenous training of traditional health practitioners in Kwazulu-Natal. African Health Sciences 19(4):3100-3106. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ ahs.v19i4.32
Zhandire T, Gqaleni N, Ngcobo M & E Gomo. 2019. Knowledge and documentation of patient health information among traditional health practitioners in urban and peri-urban areas of eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Health Information Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/1833358319890475
Mbatha N, Ngcobo M, Gqaleni N, and Gomo E. 2018. Core content of indigenous training of traditional health practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal: a case of Ogobela. Indilinga African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems 17(2):259 – 278
Ngcobo M, N Gqaleni, V Naidoo & MP Cele, 2017. Immune effects of an African traditional energy tonic in in vitro and in vivo models. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Article ID 6310967, 14 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6310967
Ngcobo M & N Gqaleni. 2016. Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of a South African commercial traditional immune booster in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016) 16:300. DOI 10.1186/s12906-016-1294-7, 22 August 2016.
Ngcobo M, N Gqaleni & V Ndlovu. 2016. Antimutagenic and antioxidant effects of a South African commercial traditional formulation used as immune booster. South African Journal of Science 112(3/4): 98-104
Pinkoane MG, Ngcobo M & N Gqaleni. 2016. Best practice programme in the standardisation of traditional medicines: evaluation of an immune booster formulated by traditional healers of the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine 13(3): 101-112.
Ngcobo M., N. Gqaleni, V. Ndlovu, M. Serumula, & N. Sibiya. 2016. Immunomodulatory effects of Umakhonya®: a South African commercial traditional immune booster. South African Journal of Botany 102:26-32
Ngcobo M & N Gqaleni. 2015. African traditional medicine based immune boosters and infectious diseases: A short commentary. Journal of Molecular Biomarkers and Diagnosis 7:1 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9929.1000265
Wilson, D., Goggin, K., Williams, K., Gerkovich, M., Gqaleni, N., Kessler, S., Folk, W. A and Johnson Q. 2015. A modern trial for a traditional treatment: Rational and methods of a randomized clinical trial of Sutherlandia (Lessertia) frutescens. PLoS ONE 10 (7): e0128522. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0128522
Ndzimande, BE; Sibiya, MN & Gqaleni, N. 2014. Exploring the nature of partnership between African traditional and Conventional health care in eThekwini. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation & Dance, Supplement 1:2, June: 508-520.
Gqaleni N. 2012. Foreword. African indigenous knowledge systems: an account. Indilinga (African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems) 11(2):v-vii.
Street R, Ngcobo M, Mbatha N, Gqaleni N. 2012. Potential occupational health challenges in the traditional medicine practice. Occupational Health SA 18(6): 13-17
Gqaleni N, Shongwe V, Seleti Y. 2012. Preface. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(3S):1
Mbatha N, Street R, Ngcobo M, and Gqaleni N. 2012. Sick certificates issued by South African Traditional Health Practitioners – current legislation, challenges and the way forward. South African Medical Journal 102:129-131
Mbutho N, Gqaleni N, and Korporaal CM. 2012. Traditional complementary and alternative medicine: knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care workers in HIV and AIDS clinics in Durban hospitals. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(3S):64-72.
Ngcobo M, Gqaleni N, Chelule PK, Serumula M, and Assounga A. 2012. The immunomodulatory effects of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts in human normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(3S):40-46
Gqaleni, N, Ngcobo M, Parboosing R, and Naidoo A. 2012. In vitro testing of African traditional medicines for cytotoxic, immune modulatory and anti-HIV activities. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(3S):2-11
Ngcobo M, Nkala B, Moodley I and Gqaleni N. 2012. Recommendations for the development of regulatory guidelines for registration of traditional medicines in South Africa. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(1):59-66
Ngcobo M, Gqaleni N, Chelule P, Serumula M, and Assounga A. 2012. Effects of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts on normal T-lymphocytes in vitro. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 9(1):73-80
Gqaleni N, Hlongwane T, Khondo C, Mbatha M, Mhlongo S, Ngcobo M, Mkhize VT, Mtshali N, Pakade R, Street RA. 2011. Biomedical and traditional healing collaboration on HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Universitas Forum: International Journal on Human Development and International Cooperation, 2(2), July 2011. Available at: http://www.universitasforum.org/index.php/ojs/article/view/62/243.
Goggin, K., Gqaleni, N., Mbhele, A.L., Makhathini, M.A., Buthelezi, T.D., Ndlovu, S.W., Shange, V.F., Thabethe, M.A., Mkhwanazi, D.A., Nkomo-Gwala, B.L., Hlongwane, T., Mdlalose, T. Ngubane, L.,Wilson, D., Wu, A.W., Bartman, P., Gerkovich, M., Williams, K., Berkley-Patton, J., Tsolekile, L., Puoane, T. Catley,D., Johnson, Q., and Folk, W. 2010. The translation and cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures for a clinical study involving Traditional Health Providers and biomedically trained practitioners. Alternation (Journal of the Centre for the study of Southern African Literature & Languages), 17(1): 273 – 294 .
Gqaleni, N., Makhathini, M.E., N., Mbatha, N., Buthelezi, T., Mkhize, T., Moodley, I., and Naidoo, S.S. 2010. Education and Development of Traditional Health Practitioners in isiZulu to promote their collaboration with Public Health Care Workers. Alternation (Journal of the Centre for the study of Southern African Literature & Languages), 17(1):295-311.
Published peer reviewed conference proceedings
Gqaleni N, Mbokazi W, Buthelezi BM, Radebe S, Buthelezi N, Ngobese V & G Nene. 2015. Including Traditional Health Practitioners in Community Based Public Private Partnership to provide HIV and TB Services in KwaZulu-Natal. 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health (2 – 6 December 2015 Cape Town. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2015: 19 (12 Suppl 2): S248
Gqaleni N. 2015. Including Traditional Health Practitioners in community based public private partnership to provide HIB and TB services in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. International Symposium “exploring Traditional Medicine”. Inter-Academy Medical Panel, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Beijing, China. Pp86-98.
Book
Mbatha, N and Gqaleni N. 2017. African Traditional Medicine at the Cross-Roads in South Africa: Challenges faced by its institutionalisation, Reach Publishers, Durban, South Africa. pp144
Chapters in books
Street RA, Prinsloo G, Gqaleni, N. 2013. Guidelines for quality control during preclinical testing of African Traditional Medicines. In “African Natural Plant Products Volume II: Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry, Health, and Nutrition”, Eds: H. Rodolfo Juliani, James E. Simon, Chi-Tang Ho, American Chemical Society, New Jersey, Chapter 13, pp 185–206 ISBN13: 9780841228047
Gqaleni N. 2013. Traditional Health Practitioners and Nurses working together to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In “State of Nursing and Nursing Education in Africa: a Country by Country Review” Edited by H Kloppers and Uys L. The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Indianapolis, Chapter 17, pp 278-280 ISBN-13: 9781935476832
Education
We want to develop modules aimed at the College of Health Sciences undergraduate and postgraduate students focusing on Africanising, transformation, and decolonisation of the curriculum. We will make our contribution to support national strategic initiatives that need curriculum inputs.
Media reports
https://www.isolezwe.co.za/izindaba/bafuna-kufakwe-nezifundo-ngamakhambi-esintu-konesi-15659049