Invest in research to validate effectiveness of traditional medicine-Prof. Kasalo
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN & Zeenatu ABUBAKAR, Accra
Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Professor Francis Chisaka Kasalo, has underlined the significance of financial support for research to validate the effectiveness of traditional medicine.
He stressed that this approach could build credibility and trust among healthcare professionals, regulators, and the public
Speaking at a National Symposium organized by the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) and the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, he addressed key points related to the prospects and challenges of integrative healthcare in Ghana.
The symposium, themed “Sustainable and Safe Integrative Healthcare towards Universal Health Coverage and Economic Transformation,” provided a platform for discussing the potential of integrating traditional and alternative medicine with conventional healthcare.
Prof. Kasalo emphasized the need to raise awareness of integrative healthcare therapies and treatments, as this is vital for understanding how medical experts can collaborate with conventional medicine.
He suggested various educational methods, such as campaigns, health fairs, workshops, seminars, community events, and other activities, to promote this awareness.
Prof. Kasalo is confident that promoting awareness will encourage people to explore integrative healthcare options, fostering a culture of acceptance and trust.
He also stressed the importance of offering training opportunities for healthcare professionals in integrative medicine to further this approach.
Additionally, the WHO representative suggested that complementary and alternative medicine practitioners should collaborate and communicate with traditional healthcare professionals, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to patient treatment.
Integrating programs related to integrative healthcare into mainstream medical education was also a key recommendation, as this could enable healthcare professionals to gain knowledge and understanding of practices, allowing them to embrace and promote integrative care.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Professor Alex Asase, echoed the call for embracing integrative healthcare.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing traditional medicines as an essential aspect of African cultural heritage.
He highlighted the fact that conventional biomedical medicines do not have treatments for every disease or health condition, and herbal medicines can play a crucial role in addressing such diseases.
Prof. Asase said collective efforts of healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulators are essential to ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and integration of complementary and alternative therapies into conventional healthcare settings, ultimately enhancing the well-being of the people of Ghana
The symposium emphasized the need to integrate and coordinate various healthcare practices for holistic patient care.
Furthermore, concerns were raised regarding standards, quality, capacity needs, research validation, and regulatory systems to monitor unqualified practitioners in traditional medical healthcare.
These discussions serve as a call to action for the advancement of integrative healthcare in Ghana, promoting a comprehensive approach to patient well-being.
