WHO and African Union consider knowledge protection

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.

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.

Participants discussed who should receive benefits from uses of African traditional knowledge and medicinal biodiversity.

WHO reports that the four-day workshop ended Friday with guidelines for protection and promotion of African Indigenous medical knowledge.

Participants recommended model legislation that countries could adapt to protect locally held medical knowledge.

The consensus document considered legal recognition and the protection of African medicinal biodiversity.

WHO regional director Luis Sambo stressed community interests when discussing access, ownership and benefit-sharing.