Health Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Aden Duale, has backed the regulation of traditional medicine as a way of promoting the use of traditional medicine across the East African region.
Speaking as he opened the East African Forum on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, which has drawn participants from across the region, the CS acknowledged that traditional medicine and herbal medicine form a significant part of the health care that many families use across the East African region.
In the rural areas, he said, traditional medicine was the first port of call when one fell ill. However, he noted that as leaders, the question was how to work with traditional medicine in a way that was both safe and regulated. He said, “As leaders, we must embrace health models that bring together all safe and proven forms of treatment.”
The forum is examining the ways and means by which the East African states, which form the East African Community, can strengthen their laws and regulations to ensure that traditional medicine and complementary medicine are fully integrated into the health systems of the respective states.
The CS noted that the region was witnessing new health challenges, including the rise of new and emerging diseases, and the rise of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. He said that the health systems had to change and become more inclusive.
He commended the partner states for developing policies and legal structures to govern the practice of traditional medicine and observed that regional cooperation would help address existing gaps.
For instance, in Kenya, the government is in the process of integrating traditional medicine into national health priorities through policy formulation and research.
Several institutions are involved in the process, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
The CS also observed that Kenya’s process is in line with the global strategy and plan of action of the World Health Organization on traditional medicine for the period between 2025 and 2034.
Other speakers who addressed the meeting included the Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, the WHO Representative to Kenya Dr Neema Kimambo, and other regional experts in the health sector.
Leaders who addressed the meeting observed that the aim of the meeting is not to promote the replacement of modern medicine but to ensure traditional and complementary medicine is properly regulated, researched and safely practised.
They expressed hope that the discussions will lead to practical steps that improve primary healthcare and protect the public across the region.
