Africa on Monday marked the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day, with the World Health Organization (WHO) calling for increased investment in research, regulation and innovation to strengthen the role of traditional medicine in healthcare delivery.
This year’s observance, themed “Reflection on research and development efforts of traditional medicine towards achieving universal health coverage in the African Region,” highlighted the need to turn traditional medical knowledge into safe, effective and evidence-based healthcare solutions.
WHO noted that traditional medicine remains an important source of healthcare, particularly in rural communities where practitioners often serve as the first point of contact. Experts said stronger regulation, scientific validation and collaboration with conventional healthcare systems could improve access to quality healthcare.
Stakeholders also stressed the importance of documenting indigenous medical knowledge and investing in research and development to preserve valuable practices while exploring Africa’s rich biodiversity for healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation.
