The 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day was launched in Niamey, Niger, on October 27, 2026, by Health Minister Colonel-major Garba Hakimi. The event, themed "Reflection on research and development efforts in traditional medicine for universal health coverage in the African region," aims to promote traditional medicine and improve healthcare. The minister emphasized the importance of traditional medicine in Nigerien society and the need to preserve and develop this sector.
Minister Hakimi highlighted the significance of traditional medicine as a local remedy deeply rooted in Nigerien sociocultural realities. He stressed the need to ensure the quality of products, safety of practices, and scientific evaluation of therapeutic effects. The minister also announced initiatives to better organize the sector and create a collaboration framework between different stakeholders. He called on traditional practitioners to work with health structures to improve the sector's performance and quality of care.
World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr. Nikiema Jean-Baptiste recalled that this celebration commemorates a historic decision to promote traditional medicine in healthcare systems. He emphasized the importance of traditional medicine for African communities and outlined four priorities for the WHO: research and evidence, documentation of knowledge, regulation and monitoring, and collaboration between traditional practitioners and conventional medicine professionals. The WHO representative reiterated the organization's support for efforts to improve the healthcare system.
Dr. Laoula Aïssata Bintou, vice-president of the Collective of Organizations of Traditional Health Practitioners of Niger (COTRASNI), highlighted the association's priorities: strengthening scientific research, guaranteeing the quality and safety of traditional medicines, and structuring partnerships between traditional practitioners, researchers, universities, and health institutions. She thanked stakeholders for allocating a botanical garden to the institution, which will enable the cultivation of medicinal plants and transmission of knowledge to future generations.
The event included an exhibition and sale of traditional medicine products, which took place from October 27 to November 5, 2026. Several panels were also organized to facilitate understanding at all levels. The vice-president of COTRASNI submitted a written request for the institutionalization of a National Traditional Medicine Day in Niger. She called on stakeholders to support initiatives to promote traditional medicine.
The African Traditional Medicine Day celebration aims to promote traditional medicine as a lever for research, innovation, and health sovereignty. The event brought together traditional practitioners, researchers, and health institutions to discuss ways to integrate traditional medicine into the healthcare system. The celebration also highlighted the importance of collaboration between traditional practitioners and conventional medicine professionals.
The Nigerien government has taken steps to promote traditional medicine, including the launch of initiatives to better organize the sector and create a collaboration framework between stakeholders. The government aims to improve the quality of care and promote traditional medicine as a way to achieve universal health coverage. The celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day in Niger highlights the country's commitment to promoting traditional medicine and improving healthcare.
Key points
- The 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day was launched in Niamey, Niger, to promote traditional medicine and improve healthcare.
- The event aimed to promote traditional medicine as a lever for research, innovation, and health sovereignty.
- The celebration highlighted the importance of collaboration between traditional practitioners and conventional medicine professionals.
