Importance Of Traditional Medicine, Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Kenya

There is growing interest in traditional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM). According to WHO TCAM is a health practice, approach, knowledge and beliefs in cooperating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illness or maintain wellbeing.
Kenya is a rich source of natural resources that can greatly improve primary health care of our people. Success stories have been told in countries which have embraced TCAM. In china for example, the famous bare foot doctors TCAM system which constituted of semi-trained village members and local physicians showed remarkable fruits. With emphasis on prevention and
Research on several Kenya natural products has so been done. The products so far tested have shown a wide range of pharmacological values and low or even negligible toxicity. Kenya natural resources have shown potency in the treatment and management of both communicable (malaria, pneumonia, gastrointestinal tract infections) and noncumminacable diseases (cancer, diabetes, obesity). Natural resources found in Kenya have also demonstrated prevention and illness management through immunomodulation. However, there is still wide range of untapped potential of natural resources in Kenya. This might be attributed to lack of research funding to investigate on the efficacy and safety of natural resources as recommended by WHO. To enjoy the mazing benefits attributed to TCAM, Kenyan governments should fully embrace the TCAM in the national health policy, include it in University and college curriculum, promote and financially support its use in primary health care. We need also to set dedicated public sector hospitals and regulatory bodies for TCAM. Frameworks for safety, efficacy, areas of applicability and IPR protection of traditional medicine knowledge should be