Theme:

The 31st of August of each year is observed as African Traditional Medicine Day to affirm the
Continent’s shared commitment to promoting rational Traditional Medicine practices. This year’s will be
held in Uganda Kampala and this will be the 22nd such celebration since the Summit of African Heads of
State and Government in Maputo in July 2003 endorsed the plan of action for implementation of the
Decade of African Traditional Medicine, and agreed the institution of African Traditional Medicine Day
in Member States.

This year’s theme “Traditional Medicine – Research and Development”., is very timely given the
numerous efforts being made across the continent to promote this important, but long neglected sector.

The continent’s future health professionals, especially medical doctors need to understand the fundamentals of traditional medicine which is widely used by a large proportion of the population,
particularly rural dwellers.