Health Ministry pushes to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare

Ghana's Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has advocated for integrating scientifically validated traditional medicines into the country's mainstream healthcare system. She emphasized that harnessing the potential of traditional medicine requires rigorous research, strict regulation, and adherence to manufacturing standards to ensure safety, quality, and effectiveness.

During a visit to the Centre of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Company in the Central Region, Prof. Ayensu-Danquah toured the facilities and held discussions with management and staff. She cited China as a successful example where traditional and conventional medicine coexist, suggesting Ghana could emulate this approach while maintaining robust scientific and regulatory safeguards.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah stressed that enhanced collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine practitioners could enhance healthcare outcomes, particularly if the medicines used by the public undergo thorough research and meet necessary safety and quality criteria. She connected her remarks to the government's Free Primary Healthcare program, noting that its emphasis on prevention and health promotion presents an opportunity to explore how scientifically validated traditional medicine can contribute to primary healthcare.

Conditions like hypertension and diabetes were mentioned as potential areas where traditional medicine could be beneficial, provided it is scientifically validated and adequately regulated.

Prof. (HC) Samuel Ato Duncan, the CEO of COA Manufacturing Company, expressed his welcome to the government's renewed interest in the sector. He highlighted that bringing traditional medicine up to the required standards could enable it to complement national healthcare programs, including the Free Primary Healthcare initiative.

COA is currently engaged in research to assess the potential health benefits of its products, including their possible use in managing cancer and viral diseases. Duncan stressed that sustained research and collaboration among traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, and government institutions would be crucial in building a stronger scientific evidence base around traditional medicines.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah affirmed that the Ministry of Health would continue working with stakeholders to bolster research, quality assurance, manufacturing, and regulation within the traditional medicine sector. The ultimate objective, she stated, is to foster a healthcare environment where traditional and conventional medicines can safely coexist, guided by scientific evidence and appropriate regulatory standards.