Traditional Herbal Medicine in Ghana

1957 = Ghana achieved political independence from colonial rule 1961 = The Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association was formed. 1975 = The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) was established 1999 = The Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD) was established

Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) = Regulation and registration of traditional medical practitioners Food and Drugs Authority = Control of manufacture, importation, and distribution of herbal medicines Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) = Scientific research into plant medicines Traditional and Alternative Medicine Directorate (TAMD) = Overseeing policy-related issues related to traditional medicine

Native Customs Regulation Ordinance of 1878 = Banning of traditional healing practices Food and Drugs Law 1992 (PNDC 3058) = Control of manufacturing and distribution of herbal medicines Act 575 (2000) = Establishment of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) N/A = Integration of traditional medicine into the healthcare system

<p>Publication of the Recommended Herbal Medicinal List = Providing a standardized list of safe and effective herbal medicines Training critical manpower for the herbal medicine industry = Developing skilled personnel for the herbal medicine sector Publication on basic procedures for assessing safety and efficacy of herbal medicine products = Establishing protocols for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines Monograph on medicinal plants of Ghana published by TAMD-MoH, Ghana = Compiling information on medicinal plants used in Ghana</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pre-1957 = Traditional healing practices were banned under colonial rule 1957-1999 = Efforts to recognize and promote traditional medicine began, leading to the establishment of organizations 1999-Present = Significant progress made in establishing regulatory bodies, conducting research, and integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system N/A = The government enacted the Native Customs Regulation Ordinance of 1878, a law in the Gold Coast Colony that regulated the judicial authority of native kings</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association = Promoting traditional healing practices Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM) = Developing and promoting traditional medicine through research, education, and advocacy Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Department of Herbal Medicine = Training herbal medicine practitioners Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) = Unifying and representing Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1960 = Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healing Association 1975 = Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healers Association 1991 = National Council of Herbal Medicine (now Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers) 1999 = Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ghana Psychic and Traditional Healing Association = Foundation of the first Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM) = Bringing together traditional medicine practitioners under a unified umbrella organization National Council of Herbal Medicine (now Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers) = Acting under the auspices of the Council for Indigenous Business Association (CIBA) to establish a National Council of Herbal Medicine Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Department of Herbal Medicine = Formalizing a 4-year BSc Programme in Herbal Medicine in Ghana</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Accessibility = Herbal medicine is readily available to a majority of the population Affordability = Herbal medicine treatments are often more financially accessible than conventional medicine Trust = Ghanaians have faith in traditional medicine practices and their effectiveness Availability of effective treatment options = Herbal medicine has potential solutions for diseases like cancer and diabetes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1:200 = Traditional health practitioners 1:20,000 = Medical doctors</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pre-Colonial Period = Healthcare was decentralized and relied on community-based healers. Colonial Era = Western medicine was introduced, influencing the perception of traditional practices. Post-Colonial Era = Government initiatives promoted the integration of herbal medicine into hospitals. Contemporary Ghana = Traditional medicine remains prevalent, with a significant portion of the population relying on herbal remedies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Herbal Medicine = Plays a vital role in healthcare, with many Ghanaians relying on herbal remedies. Biomedicine = Introduced during the colonial era, bringing western perspectives on illness and healing. Government Initiatives = Promote the integration of herbal medicine into the formal healthcare system. Traditional Healers = Custodians of cultural norms and skilled in providing healthcare in pre-colonial times.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Traditional practices were prohibited due to perceived primitiveness. = The introduction of Christianity in Ghana had a significant impact on traditional healthcare. Government established herbal medicine units in hospitals. = Integration of herbal medicine into the formal healthcare system is a recent priority. 60-70% of Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine. = Traditional medicine remains a significant aspect of Ghanaian healthcare. Healthcare in Ghana is pluralistic. = Coexistence and integration of traditional and biomedical approaches are recognized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Integration of Herbal Medicine = Government support for herbal medicine units in hospitals aims to amplify its role. Current Status = A substantial portion of the population depends on herbal remedies for their healthcare needs. Challenges = Balancing traditional practices with the integration of modern medicine poses a complex task. Prospects = The potential for herbal medicine to contribute to a robust healthcare system is significant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pre-colonial Ghana, where healthcare was mainly delivered by traditional healers. = Dr. Bernard K. Turkson's outline on herbal medicine in Ghana. The impact of colonial influence on the perception of traditional practices. = The historical development of herbal medicine in Ghana as described in the text. The integration of herbal medicine into the formal healthcare system. = The current status and integration of herbal medicine in Ghana as outlined in the text. The significant reliance on herbal remedies by a large portion of the Ghanaian population. = The contemporary application of herbal medicine in Ghanaian healthcare as illustrated in the text.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Registration complexities = Requires pharmacological, toxicity, and clinical data Microbial contamination = Common issue hindering product quality Lack of shelf life data = Difficulties in providing stability studies Annual renewal of registration = Burden for both manufacturers and regulators</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Employment generation = Source of jobs for various practitioners Medical tourism promotion = Potential income generation from health tourism Youth employment = Huge prospects for job creation for the younger generation Raw material supply chain = Involvement of farmers and local vendors</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Member count = Approximately 40,000 traditional medicine practitioners Practice groups = Includes all segments of traditional medicine Industry significance = Major player in herbal medicine employment Membership scope = Covers a wide range of herbal medicine stakeholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quality control failure rate = About 50% below standards Total products analyzed = 615 products in 2021 Registration success rate = Only a portion satisfy FDA requirements Contamination prevalence = Commonly found in unregistered products</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Traditional medicine practitioners = Direct providers of herbal treatments Herbal manufacturers = Producers of herbal products Raw material aggregators = Suppliers of plant materials Local vendors = Sellers of herbal remedies to the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

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A law in the Gold Coast Colony regulating native kings' judicial authority.

An organization formed in 1961 to support traditional healers' work in Ghana.

Established in 1999 to oversee traditional medicine policy in Ghana.

Legislation that created the Traditional Medicine Practice Council to regulate practitioners in Ghana.

Ghana's government approved integrating traditional medicine into its healthcare system in 2011.

A significant component of Ghana's healthcare system, utilized by 60-70% of the population.

Healthcare in Ghana evolved with biomedical practices during colonialism, blending with traditional methods.

Government support has led to the establishment of herbal medicine units in 55 hospitals.

Healthcare was informal, provided by competent men and women recognized in society as healers.

Traditional medicine faces obstacles like stigma and integration into the modern health system.

Established in 2001 to train herbal practitioners over a 4-year program.

Founded in 2019 to research and promote traditional medicine practices.

The umbrella body formed in 1999 for all Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations in Ghana.

High potential to alleviate health burdens, especially in diseases like cancer and diabetes.

A source of employment and economic activity in Ghana involving various stakeholders.

Potential for income generation and youth employment through the herbal sector.

Issues faced in obtaining regulatory approval for herbal medicines, often due to safety concerns.

Common issue in herbal medicines affecting quality and safety, complicating manufacturing.