The government has called for accelerated research, innovation and investment in traditional medicine as part of efforts to bring scientifically proven remedies into Tanzania’s formal healthcare system.
The call was made on Friday by the Executive Director of Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Ambassador Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, who represented the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health responsible for medicines and medical devices.
He was speaking at the opening of the Fifth Scientific Conference on Traditional Medicine organised by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Mbeya.
Dr Ulisubisya said traditional medicine remains deeply rooted in Tanzanian society and continues to play a role in healthcare, making scientific research critical to establishing which remedies can safely be incorporated into conventional health services.
He said greater investment was needed in research and the production of traditional medicines to ensure that products entering the healthcare system meet required standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
“Integrating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare system requires collaboration among researchers, traditional and modern medicine practitioners, research institutions, universities, regulators and policymakers,” he said.
The government, he said, was continuing to strengthen NIMR’s role in researching, monitoring and validating traditional medicines, including assessing their quality, safety and effectiveness.
The efforts also include improving laboratory capacity and production systems to support the development of traditional medicines that meet recognised standards.
Dr Ulisubisya said the initiative was also in line with directives from Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa to ensure traditional medicines backed by scientific evidence and meeting quality requirements become available in hospitals and health centres.
The move could widen access to treatment options for Tanzanians while creating opportunities for research, innovation and investment in the traditional medicine sector.
However, Dr Ulisubisya stressed that greater integration must be based on scientific evidence rather than traditional claims alone, particularly when medicines are intended for use within the formal health system.
He also urged stakeholders to accelerate research and innovation while protecting indigenous knowledge associated with traditional medicine.
He said such knowledge should be preserved as part of Tanzania’s cultural heritage and national resources.
Dr Ulisubisya challenged participants at the conference to turn their discussions and research findings into practical interventions that can strengthen collaboration and improve the contribution of traditional medicine to Tanzania’s healthcare system.
He said evidence-based traditional medicine had the potential to contribute to greater health equity, innovation and sustainable development if supported by rigorous research and appropriate regulation.