Submission ID 118483
| Issue/Objective | This paper is focused on the threat of the COVID-19 and the preparedness of health care providers in Ghana. The uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exposed the weaknesses in the healthcare system in Ghana. Despite the unpreparedness for this outbreak, the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) stepped in to provide significant services to ensure that herbal medicine manufacturers and consumers were not left out of essential health services during this global health threat. The Centre operates a modern clinic offering clinical consultations stocked with efficacious medicines they produce. Herbal medicine practitioners (HMP) are so near to the health needs and aspirations of most Ghanaians, yet so far away from the basic health care delivery system due to colonialism, health inequities, marginalization, exclusion and external orientation that have had negative impact on development and practice of herbal medicine. Even though over 70% of Ghanaians rely on the latter for various reasons, the mistrust between HMP and powerful orthodox medical doctors has excluded the former from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). A call is made for promotion of herbal medicine to address further health threats in Ghana |
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| Methodology/Approach | The vision of CPMR is to "make herbal medicine a natural choice for all". 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 collaborated with the Ministry of Health and stakeholders to compile Recommended Herbal Medicine List (RHML) for inclusion in the NHIS. CPMR waived the analysis fees and ensure easy movement for all herbalists who claimed to have a cure for COVID-19 during lockdown. |
| Results | The daily OPD attendance increased from 70-80 to 100-140. Ironically, the Centre attracted a lot of people during this outbreak. Analysis fees for 200 herbalists were waived. Two new products (Immunim and Ampoforte) were developed as immune boosters for COVID-19. The Nibima used for Clinical Trials with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology showed positive outcomes. The Minister of Health launched the RHML in 2021. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Government demonstrated its commitment to include recommended herbal medicine into the NHIS in its 2022 Budget as innovation in healthcare financing. More ACTION is needed to make adequate demands on the former to fulfil its promises. Herbal medicine practitioners should reach out to medical doctors to address the issue of mistrust existing between them and the doctors. It is anticipated that the increase in the demand of herbal medicine during the outbreak of COVID-19 serves as a wake up call for the use of herbal medicine to strengthen the heath care delivery system during health threats. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Kofi Barimah Ghana Communication Technology University Helena Oteng Nyamekye Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital Joseph Antwi Barimah Yamfo College of Health |
