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July 28, 2026
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Pan-African Parliament turns to traditional medicine to cut maternal and infant deaths
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Policy
Opportunity
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Key Points
- African countries are set to integrate traditional medicine into national health systems to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
- This follows a Pan-African Parliament (PAP) resolution, spearheaded by Ghanaian MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
- The resolution mandates the development of a Pan-African Model Law on Traditional Medicines and the Protection of Local Knowledge.
- Integration must be evidence-based, regulated, quality-assured, and involve collaboration with conventional healthcare.
- Member states are urged to increase investment in primary healthcare, strengthen health workforces, and invest in research and local production of validated traditional medicines.
Why This Matters
This initiative is highly significant for Ghana as a Ghanaian MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, chaired the committee that spearheaded this crucial Pan-African resolution, demonstrating Ghana's leadership in continental health policy. The proposed integration of traditional medicine, backed by evidence and regulation, could substantially improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes across Ghana, particularly in underserved rural communities where traditional medicine is prevalent. Furthermore, Ghana will be directly impacted by the development and implementation of the Pan-African Model Law, necessitating adjustments to its national health policies and potentially fostering local research and production in traditional medicine.
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Traditional medicine set for major boost as Pan-African Parliament pushes new law
- The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) resolved to develop a continent-wide Model Law on Traditional Medicines and the Protection of Local Knowledge.
- This initiative is spearheaded by the PAP's Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs, chaired by Ghanaian lawmaker Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
- The proposed law aims to harmonize legal and regulatory frameworks across AU member states for the integration, regulation, and protection of traditional medicine.
- It emphasizes evidence-based integration, quality assurance, and collaboration between traditional and conventional health systems, particularly to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
- Member states are urged to strengthen legal frameworks, increase domestic investment in primary healthcare, and promote research and local production of validated traditional medicines.