WHO issues declaration on traditional medicine

Ministers of Health of the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, assembled in Brazzaville on the 31 August 2007 for the 57th Session of the Regional Committee for Africa which coincided with the fifth African Traditional Medicine Day.

At the session, the minister recognised the progress made since the adoption of the Regional Strategy on promoting the role of Traditional Medicine in Health systems and realising that the theme for African Traditional Medicine Day 2007: Traditional Medicines Research and Development in the WHO African Region is in line with various resolutions adopted by Minister of Health during Regional Committee meetings and at summit and other high-level forums.

“Recalling that the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 on Primary Health Care recognizes the role of traditional medicine in health care. Gratified by the substantial progress made by some countries in fostering traditional medicine research and development and the formulation of national policies and regulatory frameworks for the practice of traditional medicine.

Nothing with concern that, in spite of the positive results in some countries of the Region, there is still a weak linkage between traditional medicine research, health services and policy making” the statement stated.

In conclusion, the committee, the release stated, solemnly committed themselves to intensify their efforts to translate the regional strategy into realistic national policies and plans on traditional medicine followed by appropriate legislation; and to develop mechanisms and establish institutions for building the positive aspects of traditional medicine into health systems and improve collaboration between conventional and traditional health practitioners.

They also committed themselves to intensify their efforts to produce inventories of effective practices as well as evidence of the safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicine and undertake relevant research, actively promote, in collaboration with all other partners, the conservation of medicine plants, the development of local production of traditional medicines and the protection of intellectual property right and traditional medical knowledge.

They finally agreed to foster strong regional and sub-regional collaboration in information exchange as well as mobilise and allocate adequate resources for traditional medicine activities.