Traditional Vs. Biomedical Medicine

• Ghana Indigenous Health Care Practices: The Use of Herbs." University of Toronto . (2009): n. page. Print. <http://www.academia.edu/1416820/Ghanaian_Indigenous_Health_Practices_The_Use_of_Herbs>.
• Gyasi, Razak, Charlotte Mensah, et al. "Public Perceptions of the Role of Traditional Medicine in the Health Care Delivery System in Ghana." Global Journal of Health Science. (2011): n. page. Print.
• "Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review." World Health Organization . N.p.. Web. 19 Mar 2013. <http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/p/printable.html>.
• "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms." National Cancer Institute. N.p.. Web. 8 Apr 2013. <http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary?cdrid=454743>.
• "Policy Guidelines on Traditional Medicine Development." Ministry of Health. (2005): n. page. Print. <https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:53YP7EyUI28J:www.moh-
• "Traditional Medicine Still Potent Force in Ghana." Voice of America. N.p.. Web. 8 Apr 2013. <http://www.voanews.com/content/ghana-traditional-health-care-part-two-voa-
• Twumasi, P.A. "Ashanti Traditional Medicine." W.E.B. Du Bois Institute. 41. (1972): n. page. Print.

Types of Traditional knowledge being used today

What is Traditional Medicine?

"Traditional medicine is the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures that are used to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical and mental illnesses" (World Health Organization)

Traditional Medicine is still the Backbone of Society today

75% of the population relies exclusively on Traditional Medicine

It incorporates "religion, myth, history and spirit enters into therapy" (Twumasi)

"This method of handling disease, through the medium of magico-religious acts and concepts satifies the traditional person because it provides an explanation of what's happening." (Twumasi)

The central idea of my research paper was that these two types of medicine have been operating parallel to each other, but in recent decades there have been efforts to integrate the two

Modecai Osei-Tu Tu, Traditional Healer

("Traditional Medicine Still Potent Force in Ghana")

Western Medicine More individualized

What is your idea of "Traditional Medicine"?

What about Western/Bio Medicine?

Effectiveness of Traditional Medicine

"Traditional Medicine is effective as it was employed in treating numerous medical conditions such as malaria, typhoid fever, arthritis, jaundice..."

"TM is used by many people to manage numerous conditions. It is accessible and effective. It therefore plays a significant role by reducing life-threatening ailments of humanity."

(Public perceptions of the role of Traditional Medicine)

Traditional Vs. Biomedical Medicine in Ghana

Present Integration Strategies

These policy changes show how the government is recognizing and regulating Traditional Medicine

• The Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine formed in 1975
• Operates a hospital that incorporates both types of medicine
• Food and Drug Board formed in 1992
• Ghana Herbal Pharmacopeia

Photos: (Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine)

Why is there a Separation of these two?

• Bio medicine is seen as more effective in treating health problems
• Traditional medicine is more assessable
• Economically and distance

• Religious and spiritual aspects of Traditional Medicine has been looked down upon
• Bio Medicine has been documented through history, Traditional Medicine has been passed down orally

What is Bio medicine?

A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery (National Cancer Institute)

For centuries, Ghanaians have had a vast amount of Traditional Knowledge

Lourine Weller

Scientific Name: Leea guineensis

The leaves are used to treat skin ulcer and general skin rashes, cutwound and convulsion in children. Together with certain plants its used to treat typhoid fever (University of Toronto)

Commom Name: Fan Palm

Fan Palm medical usage: The flowers are said to treat impetigo; and the roots for athsma and some other lung related diseases (University of Toronto)

• A study in the Global Journey of Health Sciences showed:
• 52% of clients and 75% of Bio medical practitioners feel that the use of Traditional Medicine is not as safe compared to Bio Medical on the level of hygiene and cleanliness.
• Traditional Medicine dosage has not been legitimately regulated
• No official referral system

Problems with Integration

Citations