Tanzania has begun strengthening cooperation with South Korea in innovation, technology transfer, and the development of traditional medicine products.
The move was underscored on August 19, 2025, when the Director General of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Said Aboud, and Acting Assistant Director for Traditional Medicine at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Winifrida Kidima, paid a courtesy visit to the Tanzanian Embassy in Seoul. They held discussions with Tanzania’s Ambassador to South Korea, Mr. Togolani Mavura.
Talks centered on South Korea’s experience in advancing traditional medicine and opportunities for sharing expertise to build Tanzania’s capacity.
Areas of focus include product development, commercialization, clinical trials, startups, and trade in traditional medicine. The partnership also aims to explore cooperation in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and policy formulation.
Prof. Aboud stressed that Tanzania holds vast potential in traditional medicine through its abundance of medicinal plants, but that professional research is needed to guarantee quality, safety, and effectiveness.
“We must invest in strengthening the skills of our researchers and practitioners to unlock the full potential of this sector,” he said.
Dr. Kidima pointed out that Tanzania has already established an enabling environment, with traditional medicine services currently offered in 14 referral and zonal hospitals nationwide.
She noted that Korea’s success in integrating traditional medicine into its health system could provide valuable lessons for Tanzania as it works to enhance service delivery and build the expertise of health professionals.