The 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day was launched in Niamey on October 27, 2026, by Niger's Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Colonel-major Garba Hakimi. The event's theme is "Reflection on research and development efforts in traditional medicine for universal health coverage in the African region." This celebration aims to promote traditional medicine, preserve ancestral knowledge, and develop the sector to improve public health.
Minister Hakimi highlighted the significance of traditional medicine in Nigerien society, emphasizing the need to preserve and document traditional knowledge. He stressed that traditional medicine is a local resource, deeply rooted in sociocultural realities, and relies on knowledge passed down through generations. The minister called for strict adherence to rules and regulations, ensuring the quality and safety of traditional medicine practices.
The Minister of Health emphasized the need for quality control, safety, and scientific evaluation of traditional medicine products and practices. He announced initiatives to better organize the sector and create a collaboration framework between stakeholders. Hakimi also invited traditional practitioners to work with health structures to improve sector performance and care quality.
Dr. Nikiema Jean-Baptiste, representing the World Health Organization (WHO), recalled that this celebration marks a historic decision to promote traditional medicine in health systems. He highlighted the importance of traditional medicine for African communities, citing WHO's four priorities: research, documentation, regulation, and collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine practitioners.
The WHO representative expressed the organization's commitment to supporting efforts to improve the healthcare system. He called on partners to invest in research and development of traditional medicine to ensure health sovereignty and facilitate access to quality healthcare. The event aims to promote collaboration between traditional practitioners and healthcare professionals.
The 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day seeks to promote the responsible contribution of traditional medicine to public health improvement. The celebration includes discussions, workshops, and exhibitions to showcase traditional medicine practices and products. Participants will share experiences and expertise to enhance the sector's development and integration into national healthcare systems.
The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to work together to harness the potential of traditional medicine. The Ministry of Health and WHO reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the development of traditional medicine in Niger. Key stakeholders will continue to collaborate to ensure the integration of traditional medicine into the national healthcare system, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for the population.
Key points
- The 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day focuses on promoting traditional medicine research and development.
- The event aims to integrate traditional medicine into national healthcare systems.
- WHO supports efforts to improve traditional medicine practices and promote collaboration with conventional healthcare professionals.
