International health law prepares for new threats

Publication date: WHO Africa asked conventionally trained clinicians to engage with traditional practitioners.

The 2004 WHO message addressed tensions between institutional medicine and inherited health practices.

Publication date: the regional message recognized traditional practitioners’ role in communities while calling for collaboration.

The updated International Health Regulations set rules for responding to cross-border public health risks.

The regulations require countries to detect and notify events with possible international consequences.

These regulations were adopted in May 2005 and entered into force in June 2007.

On African Traditional Medicine Day, regional director Luis Sambo urged a stronger role for traditional health practitioners in preventing HIV.

The WHO regional message treated trusted community practitioners as possible partners in prevention communication.

The 2005 call recognized that many people visit traditional practitioners as well as clinics.

WHO’s call concerned prevention and the role of practitioners, not evidence that a traditional remedy cures HIV.