Traditional practitioners are asked to support HIV education

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.

The 2005 adoption aimed to improve coordinated responses while respecting human rights.

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 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.

More than 60 experts began a four-day meeting on protection of African traditional medical knowledge.

Traditional practitioners joined lawyers and researchers at the Brazzaville workshop on ownership and recognition of medical knowledge.

The meeting examined a draft framework on intellectual property rights and African traditional medical knowledge.