Tanzanian scientists, health professionals explore strategies to advance traditional medicine

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has brought together traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, scientists, health professionals, research institutions and investors to discuss how science and research can be used to strengthen traditional medicine.

The conference is expected to produce recommendations that will form the basis for developing a national framework for identifying, researching, advancing, innovating and commercialising locally developed medicines and medical devices.

Speaking on November 9, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, during the opening of the conference, Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, who represented the Minister, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said the meeting was also an important platform for bringing stakeholders together and developing strategies to apply science, technology and innovation in traditional medicine to ensure that such treatments are scientifically researched and validated.

She said Tanzania is endowed with abundant natural resources, particularly plants containing compounds that can be used in medicine production, as well as traditional medicine practitioners with extensive knowledge and experience. However, the country has yet to fully exploit the available opportunities in research, development and production of medicines derived from these resources.

ALSO READ: TAMDC review progress to enhance countrywide delivery of traditional medicine services

She attributed the situation to several challenges, including inadequate documentation and preservation of traditional medicine knowledge, insufficient research to establish the safety and efficacy of traditional treatments, and weak collaboration among researchers, universities, regulatory authorities and industries in translating research findings into marketable products.

She added that the government aims to ensure that findings from traditional medicine research conducted by universities and research institutions do not remain confined to academic publications and scientific discussions, but are transformed into innovations, products and technologies that improve healthcare services, create employment opportunities, reduce dependence on imported products and stimulate national economic growth.

The conference, which focuses on advancing science in traditional medicine, is being held under the theme: “Harnessing Innovation, Research and Indigenous Knowledge for the Development of Traditional Medicine and Health Products.”