The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named Professor Martins Emeje, the Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), as Co-Chair of its newly established Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM).
Professor Emeje was appointed alongside Dr Susan Wieland, Director at Cochrane Complementary Medicine, following the formal unveiling of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group.
The establishment of STAG-TM marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy, which aims to strengthen global health systems through evidence-based traditional and integrative medicine.
The appointment of Professor Emeje reflects the WHO’s commitment to inclusive, balanced, and scientifically rigorous leadership in advancing traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine worldwide. Both Co-Chairs bring extensive expertise in research, innovation, and policy development, particularly in the areas of natural products and evidence-based medicine.
As Director-General of NNMDA, Professor Emeje has played a pivotal role in promoting research, development, regulation, and commercialization of natural medicines in Nigeria. His selection highlights Nigeria’s growing contribution to global health governance and innovation in traditional medicine.
The Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine will provide expert guidance to the WHO on policy frameworks, research priorities, and best practices to ensure the safe, effective, and quality integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems.
The WHO, while announcing the creation of the 19-member Group, emphasized that the move is part of its global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025, describing it as a decisive step in applying a scientific response to traditional medicine.
At the inaugural meeting of the Group, held alongside the second W. H.O Global Traditional Medicine Summit held in New Delhi, India, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access, and Data, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, says it is a pivotal moment for Traditional Medicine, as it embodies cultural heritage, national health identities, and a vital component of policy healthcare strategies.