Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine, primarily herbal remedies, for their healthcare needs?
What percentage of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine, primarily herbal remedies, for their healthcare needs?
The introduction of biomedicine in Ghana during the colonial era brought with it western notions of illness and healing.
The introduction of biomedicine in Ghana during the colonial era brought with it western notions of illness and healing.
True (A)
What is the primary reason for Ghanaian reliance on herbal medicine?
What is the primary reason for Ghanaian reliance on herbal medicine?
Managing both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
The government of Ghana has established herbal medicine units in ______ government hospitals across the country.
The government of Ghana has established herbal medicine units in ______ government hospitals across the country.
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Match the following historical periods with their associated healthcare practices in Ghana:
Match the following historical periods with their associated healthcare practices in Ghana:
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Which organization was established in 1991 to promote herbal medicine in Ghana?
Which organization was established in 1991 to promote herbal medicine in Ghana?
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The Department of Herbal Medicine at KNUST was established in the year 2019.
The Department of Herbal Medicine at KNUST was established in the year 2019.
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What is the name of the umbrella body for all Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations in Ghana?
What is the name of the umbrella body for all Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations in Ghana?
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The ratio of traditional health practitioners to the Ghanaian population was about 1: ______.
The ratio of traditional health practitioners to the Ghanaian population was about 1: ______.
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Match the organizations with their establishment year:
Match the organizations with their establishment year:
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The Native Customs Regulation Ordinance of 1878 promoted traditional healing practices.
The Native Customs Regulation Ordinance of 1878 promoted traditional healing practices.
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The ______ was established in 1999 to oversee policy-related issues in traditional medicine.
The ______ was established in 1999 to oversee policy-related issues in traditional medicine.
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What year did the government of Ghana enact an act for the establishment of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)?
What year did the government of Ghana enact an act for the establishment of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)?
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Which of the following institutions was established to conduct scientific research into plant medicines?
Which of the following institutions was established to conduct scientific research into plant medicines?
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Match the following milestones in the historical development of herbal medicine in Ghana with their respective years:
Match the following milestones in the historical development of herbal medicine in Ghana with their respective years:
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Flashcards
Native Customs Regulation Ordinance 1878
Native Customs Regulation Ordinance 1878
A law in the Gold Coast Colony that regulated the judicial authority of native kings and banned traditional healing practices.
Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association
Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association
Founded in 1961 to support and promote traditional healers in Ghana.
Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR)
Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR)
Established in 1975 to conduct scientific research into plant medicines.
Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)
Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC)
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Integration of traditional medicine (2011)
Integration of traditional medicine (2011)
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KNUST Herbal Medicine Department
KNUST Herbal Medicine Department
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Herbal Medicine in Ghana
Herbal Medicine in Ghana
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Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM)
Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM)
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Integration into Healthcare
Integration into Healthcare
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Pre-Colonial Healthcare
Pre-Colonial Healthcare
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Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers (GNATH)
Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers (GNATH)
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GHAFTRAM
GHAFTRAM
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Colonial Impact on Medicine
Colonial Impact on Medicine
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Traditional vs. Biomedical Healing
Traditional vs. Biomedical Healing
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Traditional Medicine Practitioners Ratio
Traditional Medicine Practitioners Ratio
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Study Notes
Introduction to Herbal Medicine in Ghana
- Herbal medicine plays a significant role in Ghana's healthcare system.
- A large portion of the population relies on traditional remedies for their health needs, specifically communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Government initiatives and international health organizations recognize and support the integration of herbal medicine into the formal healthcare system.
- Approximately 60-70% of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine, mainly herbal remedies for healthcare needs.
- Herbal medicine units are established in 55 government hospitals across Ghana.
- This integration is part of a strategy for improving healthcare access and service quality.
History of Traditional Medicine in Pre-Colonial Ghana
- No organized healthcare system existed.
- Healthcare was primarily delivered by men and women recognized for competence in providing health.
- These individuals were often custodians of societal cultural norms, artifacts, and priest healers.
Historical Development of Herbal Medicine
- Healthcare in Ghana is pluralistic.
- It includes the use of biomedical and traditional healing systems.
- Western concepts of illness and healing were introduced during the colonial period.
- Christianity spread throughout Ghana during the colonial era, leading many traditional & cultural practices to be prohibited, considered as primitive or demonic.
- Traditional healing practices were banned under the Native Customs Regulation Ordinance of 1878.
- Efforts to recognize and promote traditional healers began after Ghana's political independence in 1957.
- The government has supported the development of traditional medicine through institutions and policy enactments.
- The Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association was formed in 1961.
- The Centre for Plant Medicine Research was established in 1975 to conduct scientific research into medicinal plants, formerly the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine CPMR.
- The Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD) was established in 1999.
- The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) was formed in 2000 responsible for registering & regulating Traditional Medical Practitioners in Ghana.
- In 2011, the government approved the integration of traditional medicine into Ghana's healthcare system.
- The Recommended Herbal Medicinal List has been published twice.
- A monograph about Ghanaian medicinal plants was published
- A Department of Herbal Medicine was established at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) in 2001 to train practitioners.
- The Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) established in 2019 to develop & promote traditional complementary and alternative medicine practices through research, education, and advocacy.
- The Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) established in 1999 acts as an umbrella body for all practitioners' associations and societies.
Prospects for Herbal Medicine
- The ratio of traditional health practitioners to population in Ghana is about 1:200, compared to 1:20,000 for medical doctors.
- High accessibility, affordability, and trust make herbal medicine highly sought after by Ghanaians.
- Herbal medicine holds great potential in treating various diseases like cancer and diabetes where conventional medicine struggles to provide effective treatment and during major pandemics like COVID-19.
- Herbal medicine is a major source of employment in Ghana.
- Diverse roles in the herbal value chain exist including traditional medicine practitioners, herbal manufacturers, vendors, and plant material suppliers.
- The Ghana Federation of Traditional and Alternative Medicine Practitioners (GHAFTRAM) currently consists of about 40,000 practitioners from all practice groups.
- Herbal medicine is part of Ghana's national heritage making it good for medical tourism, and generating income for the country.
Challenges to Herbal Medicine
- Several challenges hinder the growth of herbal medicine.
- One is the registration process for herbal medicines.
- The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) requires pharmacological data, toxicity data and clinical data, but herbal medicines in Ghana are commonly produced on a small scale.
- Many herbal products fail to meet these requirements causing many to not be registered in Ghana because of microbial contaminants.
- The high percentage of herbal medicines below quality control standards (50%) analyzed in 2021.
- Microbial contamination commonly occurs in herbal medicines which makes shelf-life data difficult to obtain.
- Liquid herbal formulations can only be licensed for 1-year in most cases causing a substantial burden on the regulator and manufacturers.
- Unclear guidelines for naming & classifying herbal products hinder the registration process.
- The certification for practitioners is costly and complicated leading to potential exploitation by unscrupulous individuals
- Standardized procedures for evaluating safety & efficacy of herbal products are limited
- Insufficient scientific research regarding effectiveness of medicinal plants and their pharmacological effects.
- Raw materials shortage for medicinal plants due to environmental factors and overharvesting.
Way Forward for Herbal Medicine
- Modernization of herbal medicine manufacturing technology & production for high-quality, international-standard herbal medicines is needed.
- Herbal medicine industry should prioritize well-packaged products and patient leaflets (imported products are typically done well).
- Regulation of herbal medicines should be reviewed & enforced.
- Improvements needed in packaging and branding for improved marketability.
- The country imports many herbal medicines.
- Pharmacovigilance is critical for developing reliable information about the safety of herbal medicines.
- Improving large-scale cultivation, along with conservation & genetic preservation of rare, endangered medicinal plants, will ensure the sustainability of the sector in Ghana.
- Policy-makers, researchers, practitioners & stakeholders need to collaborate.
- A national agenda is needed for developing a long-term plan for herbal industries in Ghana.
- Government support for this sector is critical for further industrialization and development.
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Description
Explore the role of herbal medicine in Ghana's healthcare system and its historical significance. Learn about government initiatives, community reliance on traditional remedies, and the establishment of herbal medicine units in hospitals. This quiz will enhance your understanding of the integration of traditional and formal healthcare in Ghana.
