Monrovia, 31 August 2015 – The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Traditional Medicine Federation of Liberia (TRAMEDFOL) has celebrated the 13th African Traditional Medicine Day on August 31, 2015 in Liberia, with a call from the WHO for countries to institute reliable regulatory systems that supports activities of qualified practitioners.

In a statement to commemorate the day, with the theme: Regulation of Traditional Health Practitioners in the WHO African Region, The WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti who was represented at the day by the organization Country Representative in Liberia, Dr. Alex Gasasira said creating a system that identifies and support qualified traditional medicine practitioners could save more people in Africa from potentially harmful practices.

Amongst tools that countries can adapt to protect patients from potential harmful practice includes: Model Legal Framework for the Practice of Traditional Medicine; Regulatory Framework for Traditional Medicine; Practitioners, Practices and Products and Model Code of Ethics and Practice for Traditional Health Practitioners.

She further expressed the importance of Traditional health practitioners for many Africans, but caution that a proper regulation is essential to the provision of quality, safe and effective health care products and services.

Speaking during the event, the Acting President, TRAMEDFOL, Mr. Charles Golontay enjoined all to appreciate the importance of the traditional medicine which is a practice that has been there before the invention of modern medicines. He called on the Ministry of Health to give the necessary support needed to facilitate the importance of the practice to modern day health system.

Mr. Gabriel Hina from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare informed that the government recognizes the importance of this practice and will mobilize resources to support their works since most rural dweller depend on them.

The Chief Pharmacist, Ministry of Health, Rev.Tijli T. Tyee admonished the World Health Organization for its continued support to the Traditional Medicine Practitioners. He called on the other key stakeholders to emulate the work of the Organization since the practice is prevalence in the rural communities.

Besides, various speakers who spoke at the occasion called on the government to give relevance to the practice the way the Modern Health System has been recognized by providing an effective and efficient legal framework for its operation and usefulness in the society.

The event started with a public parade by participants; also featured an exhibition of Herbal/Traditional Medicine Products to bring the Day to an end.