Health policy considers respectful integration

Participants considered research and governance of traditional care; holding a summit did not validate every practice discussed.

The WHO summit connected traditional medicine, research and public health at an international meeting hosted in India.

A WHO regional message recognized traditional medicine’s place in African health care.

The observance addressed how local knowledge and community practice relate to health systems.

WHO encouraged research and appropriate regulation of traditional medicine.

The organization advised use of a second malaria vaccine to protect children at risk.

R21/Matrix-M joined RTS,S among WHO-recommended vaccines.

The recommendation created another option for countries seeking to expand immunization.

The recommendation complements bed nets, diagnosis and treatment.

Publication date: PAHO reported presenting its method for respectful discussion of ancestral and clinical health knowledge.