Preserving traditional medicine

Today the world is invited to celebrate African Traditional Medicine Day on a global scale

TODAY marks African Traditional Medicine Day, under the theme “Local Manufacturing of Traditional Medicine Products in the African Region”.

The commemoration coincides with the day Ministers of Health adopted the relevant resolution at the 50th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline involving the use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality.

About 80% of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. In some cases, traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent.

In July 2003, the African Heads of State and Government endorsed a plan of action for the first Decade of African Traditional Medicine.

Prometra International, an NGO established in 1971 in Dakar, Senegal, aims to preserve African traditional medicine, culture and indigenous science through research, education, advocacy and practice.

Its network of 28 global chapters celebrates African Traditional Medicine Day, and calls upon the world to recognise, respect, conduct research, and partner with its systems of African traditional medicine and traditional knowledge.

Prometra president, Erick Gbodossou, said traditional medicines have been experiencing renewed interest over the past three decades.

“They are [being] rehabilitated as inspiring discoveries, innovations, progress and sustainable development. This fervour is due to the observation of the limits of the Cartesian system, the deviation of scientific and technical evolution, and the malaise of modern human sciences,” he said.

“Traditional medicine must benefit from a lucid exploration to reveal its secrets, to exploit the unknown and the infinite in order to lead to hidden springs of action that would serve the advent of a more human and enlightened world.”