The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) is advocating for stricter regulations on traditional medicine in Liberia. LMDC Registrar General Dr. Augustus Garlet Quiah made the call during the 24th African Traditional Medicine Day celebration in Sanniquellie, Nimba County. The event, themed "Reflection on Research and Development Efforts of Traditional Medicine towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Liberia," brought together traditional and conventional healthcare practitioners, government institutions, researchers, and community stakeholders.
Dr. Quiah emphasized the need for clear policy and regulatory frameworks to guide and monitor traditional healthcare practices. This includes establishing treatment limits and preventing practitioners from making blanket claims that their remedies can cure all diseases and medical conditions. Effective regulation would also foster collaboration among government institutions, researchers, conventional healthcare providers, and traditional medicine practitioners.
Traditional medicine plays a significant role in Liberia, particularly in rural and underserved communities with limited access to conventional healthcare services. While conventional medicine remains essential to Liberia's national health system, Dr. Quiah acknowledged the potential contribution of traditional medicine to achieving Universal Health Coverage. However, he stressed that efforts to promote traditional medicine must be accompanied by scientific research, evidence-based practices, and professional capacity building.
The celebration was organized by the Ministry of Health through its Division of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Participants included representatives from the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, Liberia Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority, West African Health Organization, and the Ministry of Local Government. The event also featured the launch of the Nimba Medicinal Plants Garden, an initiative to highlight the importance of medicinal plants and preserve traditional healthcare knowledge.
Local authorities have pledged to strengthen monitoring of traditional medicine practitioners, particularly those who advertise remedies on radio stations and public platforms, claiming their products can cure all diseases and medical conditions. The LMDC warned that such claims require closer scrutiny to protect the public from unsafe practices and misleading medical information.
Traditional and complementary medicine practitioners were encouraged to formally pursue registration and licensing in line with Ministry of Health and World Health Organization guidelines. Practitioners should express their interest through the Ministry of Local Government, engage with the County Health Team, and then proceed to the Complementary Medicines Unit at the Ministry of Health for final licensing or certification by the Liberia Medical and Dental Council.
The LMDC remains committed to working with the Government of Liberia, health professionals, and stakeholders to strengthen health regulation and promote a safe, accountable, and quality healthcare system for Liberians. The Council's efforts aim to create a more inclusive and resilient healthcare system that prioritizes public safety and responds to the needs of every citizen.
Key points
- The Liberia Medical and Dental Council is pushing for tighter regulation of traditional medicine to ensure its safe integration into Liberia's healthcare system.
- The Council emphasizes the need for clear policy and regulatory frameworks to guide traditional healthcare practices and prevent practitioners from making unsubstantiated claims.
- Traditional medicine practitioners are encouraged to pursue registration and licensing to ensure accountability and quality healthcare delivery.
