Ibrahim Traoré integrate traditional medicine into National Healthcare System

President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso is leading a transformative initiative to integrate traditional medicine into the national healthcare system through a comprehensive regulatory framework.

This policy, part of the National Health Policy, will establish dedicated traditional medicine services in regional and university hospitals, restoring its emblematic status and ensuring safe, effective, and culturally rooted healthcare accessible nationwide.

A recent workshop organized by the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Primary Health Care Management (AGSP) brought together traditional healers, medical doctors, policymakers, and researchers to draft governance texts for the new Centre for Traditional Medicine and Integrated Care (CMTSI).

This center will oversee standards, training, safety protocols, and the integration of traditional and modern medicine in a complementary manner.

Burkina Faso already legally recognized traditional medicine since 1994, with a strong role in healthcare access—85% of the population rely on it.

Traditional practitioners outnumber conventional healthcare workers and are better distributed geographically, especially in rural areas.

The integration aims to enhance collaboration, training, research, and economic growth by promoting local production of phytomedicines and creating jobs in the sector.

This initiative marks a significant move to reclaim health sovereignty, reduce dependence on costly imported drugs, and valorize Burkina Faso’s rich traditional medical heritage.