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. 2011;8(3):284-95.
doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i3.65276. Epub 2011 Apr 2.

Traditional medicine: past, present and future research and development prospects and integration in the National Health System of Cameroon

C N Fokunang  1 , V Ndikum, O Y Tabi, R B Jiofack, B Ngameni, N M Guedje, E A Tembe-Fokunang, P Tomkins, S Barkwan, F Kechia, E Asongalem, J Ngoupayou, N J Torimiro, K H Gonsu, V Sielinou, B T Ngadjui, F Angwafor 3rd, A Nkongmeneck, O M Abena, J Ngogang, T Asonganyi, V Colizzi, J Lohoue, Kamsu-Kom
Affiliations

Traditional medicine: past, present and future research and development prospects and integration in the National Health System of Cameroon

C N Fokunang et al. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011.

Abstract

Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being. In the last decade traditional medicine has become very popular in Cameroon, partly due to the long unsustainable economic situation in the country. The high cost of drugs and increase in drug resistance to common diseases like malaria, bacteria infections and other sexually transmitted diseases has caused the therapeutic approach to alternative traditional medicine as an option for concerted search for new chemical entities (NCE). The World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the Cameroon Government has put in place a strategic platform for the practice and development of TM in Cameroon. This platform aims at harmonizing the traditional medicine practice in the country, create a synergy between TM and modern medicine and to institutionalize a more harmonized integrated TM practices by the year 2012 in Cameroon. An overview of the practice of TM past, present and future perspectives that underpins the role in sustainable poverty alleviation has been discussed. This study gives an insight into the strategic plan and road map set up by the Government of Cameroon for the organisational framework and research platform for the practice and development of TM, and the global partnership involving the management of TM in the country.

Keywords: Cameroon; Tradttional medicine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Some selected medicinal plants used from malaria treatments (Courtesy, MEM).
Figure 2
Figure 2
showing destruction of the forest by abusive harvesting. (Courtesy MEM)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Medicinal plant products on sale in local markets in Cameroon (courtesy, MEM).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Participatory training efforts of tradi-practioners in Cameroon (Courtesy MEM)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Commercial drugs from local medicinal plants of Cameroon (Courtesy, MEM).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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