Traditional Healers Urge Government to Include Herbal Medicine in NHIS

The Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers has called on the government to integrate herbal medicine into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), arguing that such a move would recognize and support their significant role in healthcare delivery across the country. Despite their substantial contributions, the Association claims that traditional healers are being unfairly excluded from the NHIS, which only covers conventional medical treatments.

At an end-of-year gathering held at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, Nana Kwadwo Obiri, the General Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, highlighted the challenges faced by herbal medicine practitioners in the country. He emphasized that traditional healers are playing a vital role in the healthcare system, serving an estimated 65% of the population. Yet, the continued exclusion of herbal medicine from the NHIS undermines their contributions and creates a sense of discrimination within the healthcare sector.

Nana Obiri further pointed out that traditional medicine practices are not only helping to provide accessible healthcare, but they are also contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. He explained that traditional healers have been instrumental in saving the country millions of dollars in foreign exchange, which would otherwise have been spent on importing pharmaceutical drugs. By using locally sourced herbs and natural remedies, traditional healers reduce Ghana’s dependency on foreign medicine, thereby fostering national self-sufficiency and economic sustainability. Despite this, they continue to be left out of formal healthcare policies and financial support structures like the NHIS.

In his address, Nana Obiri argued that instead of sidelining traditional medicine, the government should support and encourage the practice to further contribute to the country’s healthcare delivery system. He called on the government to recognize the value of traditional healers and their treatments, urging that more efforts be made to ensure herbal medicine is properly regulated and integrated into the broader healthcare framework. This would ensure that herbal treatments meet the required health standards, guaranteeing their safety and effectiveness for the public.

In addition to calling for the inclusion of herbal medicine in the NHIS, Nana Obiri also urged the government to focus on promoting the work of herbal treatment providers. He emphasized that by doing so, the government could strengthen the healthcare system while also boosting public confidence in traditional medicine. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that traditional healers operate in a regulated environment that upholds ethical standards, which would enhance the reputation and credibility of the sector.

Nana Appiah Kubi Gyambibi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers, also addressed the gathering, urging fellow practitioners to produce high-quality herbal medicines. He noted that the practice of traditional medicine has often been met with skepticism, particularly due to concerns about the quality and safety of herbal products. To dispel these doubts, he emphasized the need for consistent efforts to produce well-prepared, scientifically-backed herbal treatments. By improving the quality of herbal medicine, the traditional healing sector would not only gain greater acceptance but also help build trust with both the government and the public.

Nana Gyambibi’s message reinforced the idea that the future of herbal medicine in Ghana depends on the ability of traditional healers to adhere to high standards of practice. This includes ensuring the proper preparation, dosage, and application of herbal medicines. He argued that the more the sector professionalizes and aligns itself with international standards, the greater the likelihood that herbal medicine will be embraced by both the public and government institutions, including the NHIS.

In conclusion, the Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers is urging the government to recognize the vital role of herbal medicine in the country’s healthcare system by integrating it into the NHIS. With a large portion of the population relying on traditional healers, it is essential that the government support this sector and ensure that it operates within a well-regulated and standardized framework. The inclusion of herbal medicine in the NHIS would not only improve access to affordable healthcare but also promote national economic sustainability and the responsible practice of traditional healing.