Health Ministry pushes to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare

The Ghana Health Ministry is exploring ways to integrate scientifically validated traditional medicines into the mainstream healthcare system, according to Deputy Health Minister Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah. During a visit to the Centre of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Company in the Central Region, she emphasized the importance of rigorous research, proper regulation, and manufacturing standards to ensure safety, quality, and effectiveness of these medicines.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah highlighted China's example of coexisting traditional and conventional medicine, suggesting Ghana could adopt a similar approach while maintaining scientific and regulatory safeguards. The minister also noted that strengthening collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine practitioners could enhance healthcare outcomes, particularly in managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, where traditional medicine could potentially play a role.

COA Manufacturing Company's CEO, Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, welcomed the government's renewed interest in the sector, stating that bringing traditional medicine to required standards could complement national healthcare programs, including the Free Primary Healthcare initiative. He stressed the importance of sustained research and collaboration to build stronger scientific evidence around traditional medicines.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah affirmed that the Ministry of Health would continue working with stakeholders to strengthen research, quality assurance, manufacturing, and regulation within the sector, aiming to develop a healthcare system where traditional and conventional medicine can safely complement each other.

Brief written by urgent.news from Adom Online's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.