Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-02 12:08:19
Conservationists are calling on the government to incorporate the teaching of indigenous herbal medicine into the school curriculum. The African Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (AIBIS), a body representing conservationists, suggests that education on various African herbal medicines should be integrated at all levels of formal education in the country.
Allan Kalangi, the executive director of AIBIS, notes that traditionally, knowledge about indigenous medicines was passed down orally through generations without any written documentation. However, as the elders with this knowledge are passing away, there is a risk that valuable information about traditional medicine will be lost. Kalangi emphasizes the importance of teaching about indigenous African medicine, which would involve documenting different varieties of traditional medicine and their proper administration.
There is also concern about the commercialization of herbal medicine, with some individuals selling processed herbal products whose safety is uncertain. There is a fear that these products may become patented, making them inaccessible to the majority. Kalangi argues that incorporating herbal medicine into formal education will require thorough research, practice, and preservation of this knowledge.
The appeal for including herbal medicine in the curriculum was made during a press conference in Kampala amidst the government’s efforts to update curricula to meet current development needs. Kalangi points out that the heightened interest in herbal medicine due to the Covid-19 pandemic is a strong motivation for the Ministry of Education to introduce studies on traditional herbal medicine.
Africa is considered one of the most biodiverse regions globally, home to a quarter of the world’s biodiversity. However, biodiversity is declining due to deforestation driven by economic interests, posing a threat to herbal medicinal plants that grow in natural forests. Understanding the importance of herbal medicine can help rekindle the desire to conserve natural forests and protect endangered plant species.
Kalangi highlights the need to preserve traditional knowledge that has sustained African communities for centuries. He emphasizes that discussions on modernizing various sectors often overshadow the significance of traditional practices such as African indigenous herbal medicine.
AIBIS reports that Africa boasts over 50,000 plants with medicinal properties that have been used for centuries to treat various illnesses. This knowledge predates the establishment of modern hospitals by colonialists in the late 19th century. By incorporating education on herbal medicine, future generations can learn about the rich heritage of traditional African medicine and the importance of conserving biodiversity.
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