Abuja: Africa marked the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day with a call to bolster investments in research, regulation, and innovation to harness traditional medicine’s potential for achieving universal health coverage.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the significance of this observance through a post on its official X account, emphasizing the pivotal role of traditional medicine in Africa’s healthcare systems. The theme, ‘Reflection on research and development efforts of traditional medicine towards achieving universal health coverage in the African Region,’ was chosen to highlight the transformation of traditional knowledge into practical healthcare solutions.
WHO underscored its efforts by convening stakeholders through the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and WHO Regional Office for Africa. The aim was to explore how evidence, innovation, and community trust could integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare practices.
The organization stated that this year’s observance focused on enhancing research and development efforts to make traditional medicine more accessible, safer, and evidence-based, thereby supporting universal health coverage across Africa. Participants at the event acknowledged the potential of traditional medicine to fortify primary healthcare when backed by scientific evidence, effective regulation, innovation, and robust investment.
African Traditional Medicine Day is a result of a landmark WHO resolution adopted during its 50th Regional Committee meeting in Ouagadougou in 2000. The organization emphasized the ongoing importance of traditional medicine, particularly in rural communities where practitioners often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare.
According to WHO, experts noted that traditional health practitioners have deep-rooted community relationships and cultural legitimacy, which can complement conventional healthcare systems and improve access to quality services. Mr. Temitayo Erogbogbo, Global Advocacy Director at Merck Sharp and Dohme for Mothers, highlighted the critical role of trust within traditional healthcare networks.
Erogbogbo explained that traditional birth attendants, community healers, and other practitioners maintain longstanding relationships that can enhance health outcomes when integrated appropriately into healthcare delivery. Prof. Martins Emeje, Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, also contributed to the discussion by advocating for the advancement of traditional medicine through scientific validation and innovation.
WHO emphasized that traditional medicine should be viewed as a living knowledge system, requiring evidence and innovation rather than being seen as a relic of the past. Experts highlighted Africa’s vast traditional health knowledge and biodiversity resources as drivers of healthcare development, pharmaceutical innovation, and economic opportunities.
However, WHO noted that unlocking traditional medicine’s potential requires stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, communities, and traditional health practitioners. The organization called for increased domestic investment in research and development to scientifically validate and improve traditional medicines for broader healthcare applications.
Participants stressed the urgency of documenting traditional medical knowledge to prevent valuable information from disappearing, ensuring its preservation for future generations. WHO warned that undocumented knowledge risks being permanently lost, making systematic preservation, scientific study, and knowledge transfer vital for sustainable healthcare innovation.
The discussion aligned with WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which focuses on research, regulation, integration, and collaboration. The strategy aims to promote safe, effective, and evidence-based traditional medicine while strengthening people-centered health systems.
WHO noted that traditional medicine is already used by millions worldwide and can support prevention, self-care, and primary healthcare alongside biomedical services. Experts expressed optimism that innovation, digital tools, and growing youth interest could create fresh opportunities for traditional medicine research and healthcare advancement.
The organization envisioned stronger collaboration between traditional medicine and biomedicine, with both approaches contributing complementary strengths to healthier communities. Countries like Cameroon, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are commemorating the day through national and regional activities.
WHO concluded that sustained investment in evidence generation, empowerment of traditional health practitioners, and responsible use of Africa’s biodiversity are imperative to expand quality healthcare access.