Submission ID 116972
| Issue/Objective | This paper discusses how the clinic and research laboratories at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) attracted a lot of people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional Healers (TH) in Ghana are so near to the health needs and aspirations of most people, yet so far away from the basic health care delivery system. Even though over 70% of Ghanaians rely on TH for various reasons, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover the services of TH who are the gate-keepers of primary health care. The uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exposed the weaknesses in the healthcare system and the CPMR stepped in to provide significant services to ensure that herbal medicine manufacturers and consumers were not left out of essential health services and research. The CPMR attracted a lot of people by integrating indigenous knowledge, people centred and local leadership and diplomacy into its health policies and solutions. This is consistent with the sub-theme. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The hours of operation were extended by three hours with all COVID-19 protocols observed. CPMR researchers collaborated with other research institutions on clinical trials for COVID-19 patients using one of its products (NIBIMA). CPMR served on a committee of the Ministry of Health (MOH) which compiled Recommended Herbal Medicine List (RHML) for inclusion in the NHIS. CPMR waived the analysis fees and ensured easy movement for all herbalists who claimed to have a cure during lockdown. |
| Results | The daily OPD attendance increased from 70-80 to 100-140. Analysis fees for 200 herbalists were waived. Two new products were developed as immune boosters for COVID-19. The Nibima used for Clinical Trials showed positive outcomes. MOH launched the RHML in December 2021. The Executive Director was awarded the "MTN Heroes of Change" Award 2022 |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Government demonstrated its commitment to include RHML into the NHIS in its 2022 Budget, however, there is no political will to implement this initiative. Stakeholders such as CPMR, Food and Drug Authority and the Traditional Medicine Practice Council should make adequate demands on the new government to speed up this innovation health care financing in a changing global order of full of uncertainties and health threats. The CPMR has developed a protocol for conducting clinical trials of herbal medicine to reduce the over reliance on efficacy tests at the centre. The major challenge is securing funding for clinical trials which are very expensive in Ghana. The main obstacle to the inclusion of the Recommended Herbal List into the National Health Insurance Scheme is the mistrust between the powerful Ghana Medical Association and the marginalized Ghana Federation of Traditional Healers Association. The need to build a genuine trust between these health care providers cannot be over emphasized. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Kofi Barimah Ghana Communication Technology University Helena Oteng Nyamekye Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital Joseph Antwi Barimah Yamfo College of Health |
