African Nations Fast-Track Traditional Medicine Integration Into Official Healthcare Systems
Nairobi, 15 May 2026
African health leaders are accelerating efforts to formally incorporate traditional healing practices into national healthcare frameworks following a WHO Regional Meeting in Nairobi from 29 April 2026. The initiative implements the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, with experts emphasising that successful integration requires full involvement of indigenous communities and local languages. Traditional medicine could significantly expand healthcare access across Africa, particularly in areas where conventional hospital services remain expensive or difficult to reach, potentially benefiting millions who currently rely on these practices alongside modern medical care.
WHO Strategy Drives Implementation Timeline
On 14 May 2026, African leaders and health experts called for the integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems during discussions that built upon momentum from the WHO Regional Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya [1]. The meeting, which took place from 29 April 2026, was supported by the WHO International Centre for Traditional Medicine and the Charité Competence Center for Traditional Medicine and Integrative Medicine of the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany [1]. Participants stressed the urgent need to move from policy discussions to implementing the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which provides a framework for accountability and measurable progress [1].
Community Involvement Essential for Success
Professor Martins Emeje, a WHO committee member, emphasised that the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 could serve as a benchmark for implementation and accountability in integrating traditional medicine into official health systems [1]. However, he warned that efforts to integrate traditional medicine into health systems would fail if indigenous communities and traditional tribes were not fully involved in designing solutions that consider real-world conditions and local languages [1]. This community-centred approach reflects a shift towards culturally sensitive healthcare delivery that respects traditional knowledge systems whilst ensuring safety and efficacy standards [1].
Expanding Healthcare Access Through Traditional Medicine
Representatives from the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and academic institutions stated that traditional medicine could expand healthcare access, especially in areas with limited access to affordable hospital services [1]. The integration of community-based and culturally appropriate health services could help build robust health systems and reduce costs for millions of Africans who currently face barriers to conventional medical care [1]. Participants concluded that traditional medicine, when properly regulated for safety and guided by communities, could be an important way to expand health services and build strong health systems [1].
Tanzania’s Healthcare Investment Context
The push for traditional medicine integration comes as African nations significantly expand their healthcare infrastructure and budgets. Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, for instance, collected Shilingi 593.85 billion by March 2026, representing 72.422 of its targeted Shilingi 819.98 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year [3]. The ministry received Shilingi 1.11 trillion out of an approved Shilingi 1.76 trillion budget, equivalent to 63% of allocated funds [3]. For the 2026/2027 financial year, Tanzania’s Ministry of Health has requested total funds of Shilingi 1.8 trillion, with plans to purchase land in Dodoma to build infrastructure for a centre of excellence for traditional medicine services and training [3]. These substantial investments demonstrate the growing recognition of traditional medicine’s role in comprehensive healthcare delivery across the continent.