In a historic milestone, the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists (GAMH) and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their collaboration.
The President of GAMH, Dr. Sandra Ashong, represented the association, while Vice Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato signed on behalf of UHAS, marking the beginning of a partnership aimed at advancing herbal medicine in Ghana.
The collaboration will focus on key areas, including:
- Capacity Building: Enhancing the skills and knowledge of medical herbalists through accredited courses (certificate, diploma, and postgraduate programs) in Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and herbal medicine. The two institutions will also co-organize workshops, seminars, and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.
- Research and Development: Conducting studies to improve herbal medicine practices, focusing on efficacy, safety, and standardization. Efforts will also be made to develop and preserve medicinal natural products for scientific studies.
- Advocacy and Public Education: Raising awareness about the benefits and safe use of herbal medicine through media campaigns, workshops, and community outreach programs.
- Clinical Practice and Service Delivery: Improving herbal medicine services in healthcare facilities by sharing expertise and resources to enhance clinical standards and patient care. Plans include establishing centers of excellence for herbal medicine within UHAS and affiliated hospitals.
GAMH has expressed eagerness to commence the collaboration without delay to drive significant advancements in the herbal medicine industry.
Established in 2006, GAMH serves as the professional body representing medical herbalists in Ghana. The association is committed to promoting excellence, safety, and innovation in herbal medicine while upholding the highest standards of traditional and alternative healthcare practices.
Already, 54 Ghana Health Service facilities and one teaching hospital have integrated herbal medicine into their healthcare delivery under the supervision of medical herbalists. GAMH sees academic collaboration as crucial in further developing the herbal industry in Ghana.