Traditional Medicine: Practitioners Request Regulation Of Sector

The importance of Africa traditional medicines in healthcare has been saluted in Buea. Practitioners said it prowess was proven during the Covid-19 pandemic which threatened human existence. They had gathered at the South West Regional Delega­ tion for Arts and Culture in Buea on Saturday, August 29, 2026, where they celebrated the 24th edition of African Traditional Medicine Day. Statistics presented at the event in­ dicated that over 70% of both rural and urban Africa rely on traditional medicines when ill. Despite the successes of African traditional medicines that were ap­ plauded, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, South West Regional Coordinator for African Traditional Medicines, said the sector needs to be better organized to im­ prove standards and ensure that traditional medicine practitioners operate responsibly. In this light, he pleaded with the government to es­ tablish an institute of herbal medi­ cine, where traditional medicine prac­ titioners can receive appropriate training and professional develop­ ment. This will permit a significant proportion of traditional doctors to have the opportunity to undergo training so that they can improve their knowledge and practices. Dr. Fru Richard said traditional medicines is Africa’s cultural heritage which has to be preserved for posterity. He pointed out that traditional me­ dicines are consumed by everyone in one way or the other. South West Regional Delegate for Public Health, Eko Eko Filbert said it is extremely difficult to achieve uni­ versal health coverage using only modern me...