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Yesterday, The Country Director, Dr. Chanda Mulenga, and Director, Pharmaceutical Portfolio, Ms. Esnart Mwape, at Bloom Public Health Zambia, held a very engaging and thought-provoking meeting with leadership from the Zambia Institute of Natural Medicine and Research (#ZINARE) and the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (#THPAZ). We had the opportunity to share Bloom Public Health Zambia’s vision for strengthening the traditional and herbal medicine space, anchored in evidence, regulation, and innovation, while recognizing the critical role that traditional health practitioners continue to play in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities. Dr. Lawrence Chanza, Executive Director, highlighted ZINARE’s work in naturopathic medical education and research, while Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Sharon Chishimba Mukuka, shared insights into THPAZ’s longstanding role as an umbrella body for traditional health practitioners. Together, these efforts reflect the strong foundation Zambia already has. The opportunity now is to build on this foundation in a more structured, coordinated, and forward-looking way. Globally, traditional medicine is increasingly being researched, regulated, and commercialized, contributing significantly to national economies. In some regions, it is fully institutionalized (studied in universities), integrated into health systems, and exported as a high-value product. Meanwhile, much of Africa’s traditional medicine remains underdeveloped and underutilized. Zambia, and Africa more broadly, has a unique opportunity to change this narrative by:
☑️ Strengthening scientific validation and quality assurance
☑️ Supporting local innovation and manufacturing
☑️ Promoting responsible integration into the formal healthcare system
☑️ Protecting and elevating indigenous knowledge This engagement is about reframing traditional medicine as both a public health asset and an economic opportunity.
We look forward to continued engagement with ZINARE, THPAZ, and other stakeholders as we work towards a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to traditional and herbal medicine in Zambia.
