The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) has urged the government to include approved herbal drugs on the list of approved medicines on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), according to a graphiconline report.Per the story, the federation expressed concern that the traditional medicine sector had received very little attention from successive governments.
The President of GHAFTRAM, Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan, said this at the commemoration of the 22nd African Traditional Medicine (ATM) Day and 25th Traditional Medicine Week celebration held in Accra.The President of GHAFTRAM pointed out that in spite of the fact that approved herbal medicines had not been included in the list of approved medicines on the NHIS, they emphasised that “the two are twin brothers and must be raised together.”
Prof. Duncan, who is also the President-General of COA Research and Manufacturing Ltd, said it was as a result of this that the executive of GHAFTRAM was pushing for the Green Gold Agenda, a programme that sought to harness the potential of traditional medicine through research and to develop them to international standards for the global market.
For too long, the traditional medicine sector in the country has been relegated to the sidelines, despite its immense potential to contribute to healthcare delivery and the country’s economy.The Chronicle can confirm that herbal medicines are often the first recourse for many Ghanaians, especially those in rural areas, where access to conventional medicine can be limited. These natural remedies have been used for centuries, passed down through generations and remain relevant in treating various ailments.
Despite their widespread use, successive governments have failed to integrate them fully into mainstream healthcare, leaving a gaping hole in health equity. This lack of attention is not only a missed opportunity for improving public health but also a potential economic loss.
The herbal medicine industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, driven by the increasing preference for natural products and the perception that they are more effective and safer than synthetic drugs. The global herbal medicinal products market is projected to reach $177.65 billion by 2029.
Countries like Asia, China, India and Malaysia have successfully integrated traditional medicine into their healthcare systems, generating significant revenue in the process. It is time Ghana follows this model.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long recognised the importance of traditional medicine, as evidenced by the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023, which advocates for the integration of traditional and complementary medicine into universal healthcare systems.
Ghana should heed this global call and act quickly to include herbal medicines in the NHIS.
Herbal medicines have been subjected to rigorous testing and approval processes by the appropriate regulatory bodies, making them safe for public consumption. Therefore, including them in the NHIS would expand access to affordable healthcare, reduce the burden on conventional health facilities and create jobs within the herbal medicine sector. This would ultimately contribute to achieving the country’s universal health coverage goals.
For these reasons, The Chronicle is of the view that it is imperative that the government acts on the request by GHAFTRAM. Listing approved herbal medicines on the NHIS is not just about tradition or culture; it is about embracing an untapped resource that can strengthen our healthcare system and support the nation’s economic development.
We must recognise the potential of herbal medicines and treat them with the seriousness they deserve. The government must move beyond lip service and take concrete steps toward the integration of traditional medicine into the NHIS, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their healthcare preferences, have access to the treatment they need.
Now is the time to raise both “twin brothers” together for the benefit of all.
