Tanzania’s Health Minister, Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa, has invited international organizations and global health stakeholders to partner with Tanzania in research, innovation, technology transfer, and ethical trade of traditional medicine.
He said traditional medicine can play a key role in improving healthcare and driving sustainable economic development.
Minister Mchengerwa made the remarks while sharing Tanzania’s experience during the session on “Rethinking Health Systems for Equity, Safety, and Resilience in Traditional Medicine” at the Second World Health Organization (WHO) International Meeting on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, India.
“Tanzania is transforming traditional medicine from a customary practice into a system guided by scientific evidence, professional regulation, and digital safeguards, while contributing to the economy. Currently, about 60 percent of Tanzanians rely on traditional medicine. The country has over 60,000 registered practitioners and more than 2,000 officially recognized facilities,” Minister Mchengerwa said.
He added that the government is prioritizing community-focused, cost-effective research, while ensuring safety, quality, and effectiveness.
These efforts are in line with WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. The Minister emphasized that Tanzania strengthens professional oversight rather than bypassing regulation, using robust laws and regulatory institutions.
On integrating traditional medicine into mainstream health services, Minister Mchengerwa noted that 27 traditional medicine products have been used in health facilities since 2023.
He stressed that the approach is collaborative, not competitive, supporting Tanzania’s Universal Health Coverage goals.
On economic development, the Minister highlighted that Tanzania has registered 141 traditional medicine products, over 90 percent of which are produced by local small-scale manufacturers.
This initiative creates jobs and promotes economic growth. The Ministry of Health is also encouraging public-private partnerships across cultivation, processing, and local and international market access.
Minister Mchengerwa emphasized protecting intellectual property and indigenous knowledge. He urged the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to preserve, validate, and safeguard traditional medicine, clarifying that technology will support rather than replace traditional practitioners.
The three-day conference concludes today with remarks from India’s Prime Minister, Hon. Narendra Modi, highlighting the high-level policy importance of the event.