Leaders from governments, academic institutions, regulatory agencies, community organizations, and youth networks gathered in Nairobi during the World Health Summit Regional Meeting to discuss the growing role of traditional medicine in strengthening healthcare systems across Africa. The high-level session focused on integrating traditional medicine into primary healthcare and universal health coverage strategies throughout the continent.
The event, titled “Traditional Medicine as Part of the Solution: Reimagining Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage in Africa,” was supported by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and the Charité Competence Center for Traditional and Integrative Medicine at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The session aimed to encourage practical implementation of traditional medicine strategies rather than limiting discussions to policy-level commitments.
Participants emphasized the importance of moving forward with the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 by translating international commitments into action at national and community levels. Representatives from Kenya, South Africa, the African Medicines Agency, academia, and community groups discussed the urgent need for implementation plans, stronger collaboration, and increased accountability.
Professor Martins Emeje, Director-General of Nigeria’s Natural Medicine Development Agency and co-chair of the newly formed WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, delivered a keynote address during the session. He described the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy as a practical roadmap that can guide countries in measuring progress and ensuring accountability over the coming decade.
Professor Emeje stressed that successful integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems will require meaningful involvement of Indigenous peoples and tribal communities. He argued that health solutions must reflect local cultures, languages, and realities instead of relying on externally designed approaches that may not suit community needs. According to him, inclusive participation is essential to creating effective and sustainable healthcare systems.
Panelists called on African governments to demonstrate stronger political commitment by allocating budgets and creating funded national workplans focused on traditional medicine. They emphasized that traditional medicine should not only receive symbolic support but should also be formally incorporated into government health structures, healthcare policies, and broader economic systems.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of generating evidence-based research and developing strong regulatory systems for traditional medicine practices. Experts noted that better collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, governments, and regulatory agencies would help improve safety standards, increase public trust, and support wider integration into national healthcare systems.
Another major topic was the protection of Africa’s traditional knowledge systems through intellectual property rights and appropriate legal frameworks. Participants stressed the need for regulations and protocols that reflect Africa’s priorities while safeguarding Indigenous knowledge and ensuring communities benefit fairly from the use of traditional medical practices and resources.
The session built upon commitments made during the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, where countries agreed on specific goals and actions to strengthen traditional medicine systems. Participants noted that organizations such as the African Medicines Agency could play an important role in improving regulation, promoting research collaboration, and supporting the safe use of traditional medicine across the continent.
Speakers agreed that traditional medicine, when properly regulated and supported by scientific evidence, can help expand healthcare access, reduce financial barriers for patients, and strengthen healthcare systems in underserved communities. Many participants emphasized that traditional medicine remains deeply rooted in African societies and can complement modern healthcare services when integrated responsibly.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that traditional medicine can become an important part of resilient and culturally grounded healthcare systems across Africa. Leaders and experts encouraged governments, institutions, and communities to continue working together to ensure traditional medicine contributes effectively to universal health coverage and improved public health outcomes throughout the continent.
