WHO supports scientifically-proven traditional medicine

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it will continue to support countries as they explore the role of traditional health practitioners in prevention, control, and early detection of COVID-19, as well as case referral to health facilities.

In a statement, the organisation affirmed its support to scientifically-proven traditional medicines and said over the past two decades, it has been working with countries to ensure safe and effective traditional medicine development in Africa by providing financial resources and technical support.

“The World Health Organisation welcomes innovations around the world, including repurposing drugs, traditional medicines and developing new therapies in the search for potential treatments for COVID-19,” the statement said.

Traditional medicine

The organisation indicated that “it recognises that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine has many benefits and Africa has a long history of traditional medicine and practitioners that play an important role in providing care to populations.”

“Medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua are being considered as possible treatments for COVID-19 and should be tested for efficacy and adverse side effects. Africans deserve to use medicines tested to the same standards as people in the rest of the world. Even if therapies are derived from traditional practice and natural, establishing their efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical trials is critical,” the WHO said.

Research institutions

The WHO said it was working with research institutions to select traditional medicine products which could be investigated for clinical efficacy and safety for COVID-19 treatment.

“In addition, the Organisation will continue to support countries as they explore the role of traditional health practitioners in prevention, control and early detection of the virus as well as case referral to health facilities,” it added.

Misinformation

It stressed, however, that as efforts were under way to find treatment for COVID-19, caution must be taken against misinformation, especially on social media, about the effectiveness of certain remedies.

“Many plants and substances are being proposed without the minimum requirements and evidence of quality, safety and efficacy. The use of products to treat COVID-19, which have not been robustly investigated can put people in danger, giving a false sense of security and distracting them from hand washing and physical distancing which are cardinal in COVID-19 prevention and may also increase self-medication and the risk to patient safety,” the statement said.