Traditional medicine and its role in the development of health services in Africa.
Material type:
TextLanguage: English Publication details: 1976. Description: 26 pReport number: 07614cr976Subject(s): Culture | Folklore | Health Services | Medicine, Traditional | Philosophy | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Medicine | Africa | Unpublished Works | Philosophical OverviewAbstract: The theory and practice of African traditional medicine is described, and the possibility of making use of traditional healers and locally available medicinal plants in health care delivery is discussed. Advantages of employing traditional medicine include the widespread availability of the healers in rural areas where most of the population lives, the economy of using local medicinal plants rather than expensive imported medicines, and the sustenance of cultural and religious traditions embedded in the African heritage. Extensive studies on the various properties and uses of medicinal plants are advocated, and suggestions are made for the training of traditional healers so that a system of cooperation with modern clinics can be developed. Traditional healers are seen as a potential source of much-needed manpower for rural health care. It is recommended that each African Region country adopt a policy aimed at rehabilitating traditional medicine.
| Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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WHO HQ REF-DESK | ZTM.1 1976 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 87047-1001 |
Paper prepared for World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa, 26th Session, Kampala, Sept. 1976.
Includes bibliographical references. (151 ref.)
The theory and practice of African traditional medicine is described, and the possibility of making use of traditional healers and locally available medicinal plants in health care delivery is discussed. Advantages of employing traditional medicine include the widespread availability of the healers in rural areas where most of the population lives, the economy of using local medicinal plants rather than expensive imported medicines, and the sustenance of cultural and religious traditions embedded in the African heritage. Extensive studies on the various properties and uses of medicinal plants are advocated, and suggestions are made for the training of traditional healers so that a system of cooperation with modern clinics can be developed. Traditional healers are seen as a potential source of much-needed manpower for rural health care. It is recommended that each African Region country adopt a policy aimed at rehabilitating traditional medicine.
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