Nigerian traditional medicine enters a policy discussion

The Ghana celebration chose local manufacturing of traditional medicine products in Africa as its theme.

At the Kumasi celebration, pharmacy lecturer Isaac Kingsley Amponsah urged stronger regulation to check herbal product quality and safety.

The celebration highlighted collaboration between researchers and traditional health practitioners to investigate efficacy and quality.

A WHO Africa report dated African Traditional Medicine Day describes assurances to Nigerian traditional medicine practitioners about protecting their intellectual property.

The Nigerian discussion emphasized that medicinal knowledge belongs to practitioners and requires appropriate protection when used in research or production.

The day’s reporting foregrounded the rights of knowledge holders whose practices and recipes could otherwise be appropriated.

At a UN high-level meeting, governments set targets to expand TB prevention and care.

The political declaration urged better access to diagnosis and treatment.

Health leaders discussed funding, research and accountability for ending TB.

The 2018 pledges were policy commitments, not proof that tuberculosis had ended.