From Africa Recovery, Vol.16 #2-3 (September 2002), page 35

WHO urges monitoring of traditional medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on developing countries to better monitor and regulate traditional medicine. About 80 per cent of all Africans rely to some extent on traditional, village-based practitioners and remedies, since manufactured medicines or regular health care services are often unavailable or too expensive. Although developing nations rely extensively on traditional medicine -- and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular in some developed countries -- the sector is poorly regulated, if at all.

The WHO's "Strategy for Traditional Medicine," released early this year, urges countries to adopt legislation and develop regulations for traditional medicine, to help provide safer and more effective care. The agency commends Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and other African countries that have developed health care training programmes for traditional birth attendants.

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