The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing African traditional medicine through research, policy integration and scientific validation.
This was highlighted in a message from WAHO’s Director General, Dr Melchior Athanase JC Aïssi, at the 23rd African Traditional Medicine Day (ATMD), celebrated annually on August 31,2025.
Speaking to health sector stakeholders, traditional medicine practitioners, policymakers and citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Burkina Faso, Dr Aïssi described African traditional medicine as a “path to the future” and a key driver for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the region.
The 2025 celebration was themed “Strengthening the Evidence Base for Traditional Medicine”, which Dr Aïssi described as a call to rigorously evaluate and validate traditional health practices.
He emphasised the need to transition from purely empirical methods to systematic, evidence-based approaches.
“Our traditional knowledge is rich in treatment solutions, but for them to be fully integrated into healthcare systems, they must meet strict safety, efficacy and quality standards,” he said.
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WAHO is prioritizing the creation of evaluation protocols, regional registries and collaborative partnerships between researchers, universities and traditional medicine practitioners.
This, Dr Aïssi noted, will ensure that reliable, replicable and accessible data is generated for traditional treatments and products.
He urged ECOWAS Member States to strengthen policies and research efforts by;
Accelerating clinical trials and scientific studies on medicinal plants and indigenous remedies.
Establishing strong legal and policy frameworks to integrate traditional medicine into national health systems.
Promoting interdisciplinary research that respects indigenous knowledge.
Protecting biodiversity and the rights of traditional healers through intellectual property frameworks.
Supporting local innovation in the development of safe, effective herbal medicines.
He commended the progress made by some ECOWAS nations but called for “greater investment and collaboration” to unlock the full potential of African traditional medicine.
Dr Aïssi stressed that traditional medicine is not merely a relic of the past but a critical element of health resilience in West Africa.
“Together, by combining rigorous research, political will and respect for our traditions, we can build a strong, credible and fully recognised African medicine,” he said.
The Director General reaffirmed WAHO’s commitment to supporting member countries in developing evidence-based policies and sustainable strategies for incorporating traditional medicine into their health systems.
