Alternative Medicine Council

In the early 1970s it was observed worldwide that despite huge investments in new and improved allopathic or other health facilities , the health status of the general population being catered for had not improved to acceptable levels .It was also noted that about (70-80)% of people especially in rural areas make use of traditional remedies when they are ill. World Health Organization (WHO) formally launched primary health care in Alma Ata in 1978.The Primary Health Care strategy advised the integration of Traditional Medicine into the health care delivery system so as to improve the coverage and accessibility of primary Health Care. The Agency of Health in Ghana initiated several programs involving traditional medicine practitioners throughout the country developing a strategic framework (Traditional Medicine within the public health Sector 1995).

A department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine was created in the Ministry of Health in 1992.Traditional Medicine has since been incorporated into the five year program of work plans of the Agency of Health .The Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575) was promulgated in 2000 to control and regulate Traditional medicine practice. Although the Traditional Medicine Practice Council was not constituted, the secretariat for the council was set up in 2004 in order to adequately prepare the ground for the Council.

The Registrar of the council worked with several committees and prepared several working documents for the training and registration of Traditional Medicine Practitioners and licensing of their practice premises. The Traditional Medicine Practice Council was eventually constituted and inaugurated on the 9th April, 2010.This event has now fully set the stage for the legal promotion, development, regulation and control of Traditional Medicine Practice in Ghana.

Vision

To be internationally acclaimed regulatory agency for Traditional and Alternative Medicine practices.

Mission Statement

To promote, control and regulate Traditional and Alternative Medicine practices by formulation, implementation, co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes and thereby contributing to the national development agenda.

Functions of the Council

The key functions of the Agency include the following:

  1. Development and review of standards for the practice of Traditional and Alternative Medicines.
  2. Issuance of a certificate of registration to qualified practitioners and license premises for practice.
  3. Determine and enforce code of ethics for Traditional and Alternative Medicine practice in conjunction with association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners and other stakeholders recognised by the Minister of Health.
  4. To promote, supply, import & export of herbal.
  5. Approve in consultation with such educational and research institution as it may determine the curriculum for training institutions and also for continuing education in Traditional and Alternative Medicine practitioners.
  6. Collaborate with the appropriate Agency to establish centres for provision of Traditional Medicine care within the national health care delivery system and also for large scale cultivation of medicinal plants and for the preservation of bio-diversity.
  7. Support TAM practitioners on rules for the registration, advertisement, labelling and sale of approved products to the FDB.
  8. Ensure clients of Traditional and Alternative Medicine get value for money and perform other ancillary services as the Law requires.
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