Traditional medicine set for major boost as Pan-African Parliament pushes new law

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has resolved to spearhead the development of a continent-wide Model Law on Traditional Medicines and the Protection of Local Knowledge to strengthen the regulation, recognition and integration of traditional medicine into Africa's health systems. This resolution was adopted by the Pan-African Parliament's Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs, chaired by Ghanaian lawmaker Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during its sitting in Midrand, South Africa.

The proposed law aims to harmonise legal and regulatory frameworks across African Union member states and guide countries in the development, regulation, protection, and evidence-based integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems. The committee stressed the need for evidence-based integration, appropriate regulation, quality assurance, and stronger collaboration between traditional and conventional health systems to improve health outcomes, particularly for mothers and newborns. The resolution also acknowledged the role of traditional health practitioners, community health workers, midwives, and local leaders in promoting maternal health, encouraging early care-seeking, supporting referrals, and strengthening community participation in healthcare delivery.