Regulatory situation

The Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Medicines Act of 1989 (42) governs traditional medicine in Mauritius. In this Act. traditional medicine is defined as "the practice of systems of therapeutics according to homeopathy, Ayurvedic, and Chinese methods". The central provisions of the legislation include the establishment of a regulatory body, the Traditional Medicine Board, and a registration system that requires practitioners to obtain a diploma in traditional medicine.

The Traditional Medicine Board, established in Section 3 of the Act, is composed of Government officials, medical practitioners, persons knowledgeable in traditional medicine, and laypersons. The Board's functions, set out in Section 8, include disciplinary responsibilities, publication of a code of practice governing standards of professional conduct and ethics, and compilation of an annual list of traditional medicine practitioners.

The registration system for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners requires applicants to hold a diploma in traditional medicine. Under Section 24, non-registered persons are not entitled to practise any act of traditional medicine for gain, unless exempted from registration. However, no exemptions are listed in the Act. Unregistered persons are also prohibited from presenting themselves as registered practitioners. The Minister responsible for health has the power to make regulations, set out the basic qualifications required for studying traditional medicine, and establish the terms and conditions under which it may be practised. The Minister also has the power to impose restrictions on the practice of any aspect of traditional medicine.

Local officials are allowed to authorize the practice of traditional medicine in their administrative and/or health subdivisions in Mauritius (6). There is no chiropractic law.