The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) called for greater investment in traditional medicine research, regulation and innovation in Africa on Sept. 1, during the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day.
The call placed traditional medicine at the centre of discussions on achieving universal health coverage in Africa. WHO and NNMDA emphasized its importance, while experts urged governments to provide stronger support for research and innovation and to improve regulation.
The day focused on strengthening traditional medicine as a credible contributor to Africa’s healthcare systems. The emphasis on research reflects the stated need to develop evidence around traditional medicine and to support its potential within wider health systems. The research packet did not provide details about specific programmes, funding commitments or regulatory measures announced on the day.
Traditional medicine remains part of the continent’s healthcare landscape, according to the framing of the observance, but the organisations and experts cited in the briefing said its potential would require investment to be unlocked. Their appeal was directed at governments across Africa and covered three areas: research, regulation and innovation.
The focus on universal health coverage links the call to a broader health objective identified by WHO and NNMDA. However, the available information does not specify how traditional medicine would be integrated into national health systems, which countries would lead new efforts or what financial resources governments should commit.
The 24th African Traditional Medicine Day therefore centred on establishing traditional medicine as a credible contributor to healthcare systems, while calling for further work to support that role. No individual statements or country-specific commitments were provided in the research material.