In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region declared and adopted 31 August as African Traditional Medicine Day. This annual observance aims to raise awareness about the vital role that traditional medicine continues to play in improving the health and well-being of people across the continent and beyond. Lesotho marked its second national commemoration of African Traditional Medicine Day on 10 December 2025, held under the theme: “Strengthen the Evidence Base for Traditional Medicine.” The theme underscores the importance of research, documentation, innovation, and the promotion of safe and effective traditional healthcare practices. The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, Government Ministries, academia, development partners, integrative medicine practitioners, legal practitioners, traditional healers, herbalists, initiators, civil society organizations, and associations working within the traditional medicine sector.
The celebration began with a vibrant march from the UN House, Maseru, to the Ministry of Health Auditorium, where a dialogue session was convened. The discussions covered key thematic areas such as:
- Legal and Policy Frameworks Governing Traditional Medicine — This topic received significant attention, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for protection and formal integration of traditional medicine into the national health system
- Conservation and Sustainable Harvesting of Medicinal Plants
- Strengthening Safety, Quality, and Evidence-Based Practices in Traditional Healthcare.
A major recommendation from the dialogue was the need to establish a legally registered national association that will advocate for traditional medicine and push relevant issues at the policy level, including in Parliament. The commemoration reaffirmed Lesotho’s commitment to recognising, preserving, and strengthening traditional medicine as an integral component of the country’s health system and cultural heritage.
