Health
LEADERS, researchers and traditional health practitioners have called for increased investment in research, regulation and innovation to strengthen traditional medicine in Africa.
They made the call as Africa commemorated the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day on Aug. 31.
The 2026 celebration has the theme: “Reflection on research and development efforts of traditional medicine towards achieving universal health coverage in the African Region.”
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and WHO Regional Office for Africa convened a discussion on how evidence, innovation and community trust could improve access to traditional medicine.
The discussion featured Prof. Martins Emeje, Director-General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency and Co-Chair, WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group.
Also featured was Chief Temitayo Faruq Erogbogbo, Baaloro of Ikorodu Kingdom, while Kenyan community-based youth researcher and entrepreneur, Fionah Njeri, moderated the discussion.
The participants described traditional medicine as a living and evolving system of knowledge capable of strengthening primary healthcare and advancing universal health coverage.
They, however, said this would require research, effective regulation, investment and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Erogbogbo said trust remained fundamental to the acceptance and effectiveness of traditional medicine.
“Trust is infrastructure,” he said, noting that traditional health practitioners were often the first point of care for many communities.
He said traditional birth attendants and community healers had established relationships and cultural legitimacy that could complement biomedical services.
The participants also highlighted Africa’s rich health knowledge traditions and biodiversity resources, saying their potential could be unlocked through stronger collaboration.
They called for greater cooperation among researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, communities and traditional health practitioners.
The discussion also stressed the need to document traditional knowledge to preserve Africa’s health heritage for future generations.
“Knowledge that is not written down will be lost,” participants warned, while advocating increased efforts to document and study traditional health practices.
The discussion reflected WHO’s position that traditional medicine could contribute to more people-centred and culturally appropriate health systems when safely and effectively integrated.
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 identifies research, regulation, integration and collaboration as priorities for advancing evidence-based traditional medicine.
The strategy also seeks to strengthen health systems and promote traditional medicine as a partner to biomedicine in prevention, self-care and primary healthcare.
Participants expressed optimism about the future of traditional medicine, citing growing interest among young people and opportunities for innovation.
They said traditional medicine and biomedicine could complement each other in improving health outcomes and building healthier communities.
African Traditional Medicine Day commemorates a resolution adopted by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa at its 50th session in Ouagadougou in 2000.
The resolution, AFR/RC50/R3, recognised the role of traditional medicine in providing accessible, affordable and culturally grounded healthcare across Africa.
Traditional health practitioners remain the first point of contact for healthcare in many communities, particularly in rural areas.
Countries mark African Traditional Medicine Day
WHO country offices across Africa also marked the day through various activities.
In Cameroon, the Minister of Public Health issued a July 29 directive instructing regional public health delegates to decentralise the commemoration.
The celebration is being held simultaneously across the regions, alongside the national event in Yaoundé.
Madagascar and Mozambique are also marking the day with various activities.
In South Africa, the national commemoration involves the Minister of Health and a host province.
The WHO Representative in the country is expected to deliver a keynote address at the event.
Zimbabwe is commemorating the day in Marondera, provincial capital of Mashonaland East Province.
The First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, is participating in the event.
The participants called for increased investment in evidence, empowerment of traditional health practitioners and greater use of Africa’s knowledge and biodiversity.
They said such measures would help expand access to quality healthcare across the continent.
M.P
Tags: African Traditional Medicine Day
