Traditional Medicine Set for Mainstream Health Systems

The East African Forum on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) has ended in Nairobi with a number of resolutions aimed at enhancing the integration of traditional medicine in the region’s mainstream medical systems.

The two-day meeting, convened from February 24 to 25, 2026, brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators and practitioners from across the region to discuss how traditional and complementary medicine can be safely incorporated into national health strategies.

The forum was organised by Kenya’s Ministry of Health in partnership with the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Coalition under the theme: “Strengthening the Policy and Regulatory Framework for the Integration of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into National Health Systems of EAC Partner States.”

More than 150 participants attended the forum in person while over 70 others joined virtually from across the globe, reflecting growing international interest in the role of traditional medicine within modern health systems.

Widespread Use of Traditional Medicine

The delegates recognized the value and place of traditional and complementary medicine in the delivery of healthcare in East Africa.

It was stated in the forum that more than 80 percent of the population in the East African region depends on traditional medicine to address their healthcare needs.

However, the participants in the conference were concerned that the sector only gets less than one percent of the global health research funding.

This has resulted in a huge gap in the sector.

It was stated in the forum that the integration of safe and effective TCIM practices into the country’s healthcare systems is in line with the WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 and the regional commitments to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and people-centred primary healthcare.

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Policy Recognition and Regulatory Reforms

Among the key resolutions adopted during the meeting was a commitment by EAC partner states to formally recognise TCIM as a core component of healthcare delivery.

“Partner States resolved to formally recognise TCIM as a core component of healthcare delivery and to integrate validated TCIM approaches and products into national health strategies, UHC frameworks and primary healthcare service delivery models, in alignment with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034.”

Participants also agreed to strengthen the regulation of traditional medicine practitioners and practices in order to enhance safety, quality assurance and professional recognition while safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems.

“The Forum agreed to strengthen proportionate and context-responsive regulation of TCIM practitioners and practices as an enabler of access, safety, quality assurance and professional recognition, while safeguarding and respecting indigenous knowledge systems.”

Product Safety, Research and Regional Collaboration

The forum further resolved to strengthen regulatory frameworks governing traditional medicine products to ensure their safety, quality and standardisation across the East African Community.

“Participants resolved to enhance regional collaboration and regulatory convergence to ensure the safety, quality and standardisation of traditional and complementary medicine products across the EAC.”

Delegates also called for increased investment in research and innovation in the sector to address existing evidence gaps.

“The Forum called for increased national and partner investment in TCIM research and innovation to address the existing evidence and funding gap, and to generate robust data on the safety, efficacy and appropriate use of TCIM practices and products.”

A major outcome of the meeting was the commitment to operationalise the East African Network on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (EAN-TCIM) as a regional coordination platform.

“A key outcome of the Forum was the commitment to operationalise the East African Network on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (EAN-TCIM) as a regional coordination platform to harmonise actions across policy, regulation and research.”

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Way Forward

Participants emphasised that traditional medicine should not be viewed solely as an alternative when conventional medicine fails, but rather as a complementary component within integrated health systems.

“The Forum emphasised that TCIM should not be viewed solely as a substitute where conventional medicine has limitations, but rather as a complementary pillar within integrated health systems.”

Partner states committed to translating the forum’s resolutions into actionable national and regional implementation plans, strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks and mobilising sustainable financing to support the safe and evidence-based integration of TCIM.

The meeting concluded with a renewed regional commitment to improving governance, regulation and research around traditional medicine to enhance health outcomes and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage across East Africa.

The communiqué was endorsed by Dr. Tido Von Schoen-Angerer, President of the TCIH Coalition, and Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale, on behalf of Kenya’s Ministry of Health.

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