Story by Wellington Makonese
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has implored African nations to institutionalise and standardise the use of traditional medicines which have historical functions as remedies in order to reduce imports.
The issue was debated on the final day of the Pan African Parliament sitting in Midrand, South Africa this Thursday.
The remarks come at a time it is estimated that 80 per cent of the continent is relying on traditional medicines as the primary health care source.
“The use of traditional medicine has several advantages and based on the success of this medicine, to cure various diseases, some countries have developed capacity, patent the medicine and standardisation so that we don’t lose money to the West,” noted Dr Awoke Amzaye Assoma of Ethiopia.
Honourable Majimbo Kalasinga of Kenya noted, “We need to institutionalise the development of traditional medicine in systems across the continent governments need to promote the value by promoting research on them.”
The African continent has registered considerable progress with regard to the promotion of traditional medicine through the setting up of the African Day of Traditional Medicine on the 31st of August.
Countries like Zimbabwe have embraced traditional medicine through the enactment of the Traditional Medicines Act which guides operations and use of home-grown medical solutions.
