The United Nations Federation of International ASTRO Africa (UNFIA) has officially initiated efforts to secure global recognition for African traditional medicine through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP).
During the MoU signing, UNFIA’s Africa Resident Coordinator, Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola, highlighted the significance of the partnership in closing the gap between African traditional medicine and the international community.
“This is a transformative step forward in ensuring that the rich knowledge of African medicine is shared and appreciated on a global scale,” Prof. Babalola stated.
“This collaboration sets the stage for traditional African medicine to gain international recognition.
Both organizations will work together to promote, preserve, and elevate traditional medicine while creating a comprehensive database that will connect NANTMP practitioners with a global audience,” he continued.
NANTMP President, Dr. Shaba Maikudi, expressed optimism about the benefits the partnership will bring to the association’s 500,000 members, which include traditional birth attendants, faith healers, Islamic Prophetic Medicine practitioners, and members of the Traditional Raw Materials Association.
“Traditional African medicine has long been at the heart of healthcare in many communities.
Yet, despite its proven efficacy, practitioners have faced challenges such as limited formal recognition and restricted access to global platforms,” Dr. Maikudi remarked.
As part of the partnership, a digital platform has been developed to serve as a global database for NANTMP members.
This initiative aims to ensure that their expertise is accessible to researchers, institutions, and practitioners worldwide, revolutionizing how traditional medicine practitioners connect and collaborate across borders.
