Table 2.

Suggested means of balancing power between indigenous and allopathic practitioners

Area of focus	Suggested means of balancing power
Status	There is a need to move away from ‘collaborative’ efforts which attempt to co-opt indigenous practitioners as subordinates of allopathic practitioners. The validity of Indigenous medicine should be afforded equal formal recognition as allopathic medicine. A communication platform should be established where both kinds of practitioners can relate on equal terms.
Knowledge creation	Indigenous systems of thought should be used when carrying out research into indigenous medicine rather than a reliance on allopathic scientific methods alone.
Wealth	Resources should be allocated in a way that fairly reflects the contribution of indigenous health systems to healthcare provision.
Influence	There should be equal involvement of both indigenous and allopathic practitioners in setting global, national and local health agenda.