As a country rich in Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) practices, Ghana continues to make steady efforts to improve the provision of high quality, evidence-based TCIM in the country. We met with Dr. Anastasia Ilenki, Director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Ghana, to discuss TCIM’s experience in the country and future directions to better meet the needs of local communities.
What is Ghana’s experience in developing TCIM?
Traditional medicine is based on knowledge that was part of the beliefs and belief systems that the people of Ghana used throughout that time to improve their health and well-being. Since the 1960s, there has been consistent political leadership in this country to develop policies and standards for the provision of her TCIM.
In 1975, Ghana established a plant-based medical center. The company is currently establishing a center of excellence for research and development of herbal medicines in cooperation with universities. A lot of effort is put into providing professional training and we have a very strong Ghana Traditional Medicine Practitioners Federation. We have a good policy and regulatory framework under Public Health Act 851, which governs medical products, including herbal medicines.
Since 2017, we have launched a pilot to integrate TCIM as part of primary healthcare service delivery in the public health sector. Currently, public health facilities have integrated 55 of his TCIM services. But we need to do more. Not only in Ghana, but across the African region, we need to identify the gaps between traditional and conventional medicine, build bridges and work together.
What is your experience in improving the quality and safety standards of TCIM practices?
Implementing Public Health Law 851, we have been working on the registration and certification of TCIM practitioners. We promote the TCIM Common Code of Practice. We estimate that there are at least 40,000 practitioners of various TCIM practices in Ghana. MOH has registered up to 10,000 entries. This means we have a lot of work to do, not just in Ghana, but in all countries.
TCIM practices are at the heart of the community. People go to them because they know them, speak their language, and know their customs and traditions. In many settings, TCIM practitioners provide important primary health care. In the past, private companies were the main focus, and it took a lot of effort just to educate them about regulations and safety standards. This also means that investing in this effort requires significant support from partners and collaborators.
What are the most important actions to take to improve TCIM delivery?
There is a great need to build bridges between communities. We invite many traditional medicine researchers and doctors to events such as African Day of Traditional Medicine and conferences organized by the West African Health Organization. We are learning so much from each other, and there is a huge missed opportunity to understand how different types of medicine can work together to help people be healthy.
Similarly, integrating service delivery with a focus on patient-centered care is also critical. We need to promote referral services. TCIM practitioners provide the necessary services in a traditional clinic so that a patient does not have to seek emergency conventional medical treatment, for example, if the patient has high blood pressure or symptoms of an infectious disease. Must be able to refer to treatment. They miss out on the early diagnosis and care they need. At the same time, traditional health care providers can refer patients for TCIM care if they are interested in and can benefit from her TCIM intervention. This type of collaboration and integration helps deliver truly holistic care that helps people achieve better health and well-being.