The World Health Organization (WHO), has called on Member States to scale up their efforts and further implement evidence-based Traditional Medicine (TM) approaches to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and promote health and well-being for all at all ages.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti made the call in a message read by the WHO Representative in Nigeria Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, to commemorate the Twenty-First African Traditional Medicine Day, 31 August 2023.
“As we celebrate the African Traditional Medicine Day in unity and purpose, let us renew our dedication to harnessing the healing wisdom of our traditions for the well-being of our people and our continent,” he added.
Dr. Moeti said through the collective endeavor, guided by knowledge, empathy, and innovation, “We pledge to craft a healthier, more holistic future, where the tapestry of our traditions is interwoven with the progress of modernity for the greater good of all.”
The theme for this year’s African Traditional Medicine Day is “The Contribution of Traditional Medicine to Holistic Health and Well-being for All.”
The WHO Regional Director for Africa noted that the theme echoes the resonance of the inaugural WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India on 17-18 August 2023.
“The global summit catalyzed political commitment and evidence-based action on traditional medicine, which is a first port of call for millions of people worldwide to address their health needs.”
Dr. Moeti said in recognition of the enduring significance of African Traditional Medicine and it’s integral role in enhancing health and well-being across the African continent, Member States have witnessed the flourishing of African Traditional Medicine Day as a dynamic platform for dialogue, exchange, and knowledge sharing.
“It has united stakeholders from traditional medicine practitioners to policy makers, from researchers to international partners in a common pursuit of best practices, groundbreaking evidence, and innovative solutions that showcase the immense potential of traditional medicine in nurturing holistic health and well-being for all,” she said.
“As we carry forward the momentum from this historic event, we recognize the shared theme of “Holistic Health and Well-being for All” which amplifies our commitment to the interconnectedness of health and well-being that transcends geographical boundaries.”
The WHO Regional Director for Africa explained that African Traditional Medicine, deeply intertwined with indigenous herbalism and rooted in the tapestry of African spirituality and culture, stands as a beacon of accessibility, affordability, and trust for millions across our continent.
“With approximately 80% of our population seeking solace in traditional medicine for fundamental health needs, it remains an embodiment of our identity, resilience, and heritage.”
“We applaud the strides taken by Member States in nurturing the integration of traditional medicine within national health systems. From the development of evidence-based policies to regulatory frameworks that ensure quality and safety, from the cultivation of medicinal plants to collaborative training initiatives, our progress is tangible and commendable,” she added.
Twenty-five countries in the WHO Africa Region have now integrated traditional medicine into their health sciences curricula, while 20 have established training programs for traditional health practitioners and health sciences students, to strengthen human resources in both traditional medicine and primary health care. Thirty-nine countries have developed legal frameworks for traditional health practitioners.
“While we celebrate these achievements, we remain mindful of the path ahead. The potential of traditional medicine, in terms of research, local manufacturing, and commercialization, remains untapped,” she added.
Dr. Moeti urged Member States to Apply local knowledge, science, technology, and innovation to unlock the contribution of TM to advancing planetary health and people’s well-being across the life course, through regional and culturally appropriate nutrition and lifestyles within sustainable environments, establish a high-level consultative mechanism with Indigenous Knowledge holders to guarantee their full participation and consultation in adopting and implementing relevant policies and actions associated with biodiversity management and Traditional Knowledge, facilitate effective integration of traditional medicine into national health systems contributing to achieving universal health coverage and all health-related sustainable development goals, where appropriate.
Dr. Moeti said, Member States should redefine laws, policies, and health services to enable holistic and relevant decisions, seamless choices with a transformative focus on prevention, maintenance, primary healthcare, develop standards of the curriculum for continued training and education of traditional health practitioners to facilitate their integration into primary healthcare services, accelerate the research, production, regulation, and formal utilization of evidence based traditional and indigenous products in national health systems, develop monitoring systems and indicators for traditional medicine within national health information systems, and enabling the measurement and redirection of traditional medicine practices within countries.
