Gathered from August 31 to September 5, 2026 in Manga for the 14thᵉDuring National Traditional and Alternative Medicine Week, health authorities officially approved more than 18 Improved Traditional Medicines. This strategic decision aims to formally integrate indigenous knowledge into the national healthcare system while ensuring patient safety.
Burkina Faso has reached a historic milestone in promoting and securing its local pharmacopoeia. Gathered in Manga from August 31st to September 5th, 2026 for the 14th National Week of Traditional Medicineetraditional and alternative medicine, the authoritiesesanitary facilities have been officially establishedethe homologation of more than 18 MeTraditional Medicines Ameliores. This decision strateThe initiative, led by the Ministry of Health through the Director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Mariam Bagagnan, aims to integrate indigenous knowledge into the national healthcare system while ensuring optimal protection for patients.
A practice rooted in tradition
The official recognition of these remedies addresses an undeniable social reality. In the country, over 80% of the population regularly uses traditional medicine for healthcare. This widespread use stems from the deep cultural roots of these practices, their affordability, and the extensive network of traditional healers, who often compensated for the lack of modern healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. Given this large-scale use, administrative approval and scientific evaluation of their efficacy and safety became essential to reassure the medical community and prevent the risks of overdose or toxicity.
The selected and scientifically validated treatments were specifically developed to address the major public health challenges in Burkina Faso. Malaria, a true national scourge and a leading cause of medical consultations, is a top priority, with several herbal teas, syrups, and capsules now approved. The national pharmacopoeia also provides concrete solutions for the rapidly increasing chronic and metabolic diseases, offering remedies to support the management of hypertension and
stabilize type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, recognized plant-based solutions, such as the Phytofla product, help support liver function in the face of the devastating effects of viral hepatitis.
The scope of this approved medicine also covers common everyday ailments. Targeted formulations effectively treat digestive and respiratory problems such as coughs, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, and stomach aches. In the field of dermatology, specific ointments treat skin conditions and hemorrhoid flare-ups, while innovative creams made with honey and shea butter are already being used in hospitals to treat severe burns in children.
This initiative is part of a broader political commitment to health sovereignty, aiming to reduce the country’s dependence on Western pharmaceutical imports. As the Governor of the Nazinon region, Comrade Massadolo Yvette Nacoulma/Sanou, emphasized at the event’s inauguration, the pursuit of autonomy is not about isolationism, but rather a fruitful alliance between scientific research, regulations, and local traditions. To ensure the sustainability of this approach and secure the supply of plant-based raw materials, the State is now encouraging the creation of medicinal groves throughout the country, thus paving the way for the gradual but irreversible introduction of these products into the country’s public hospitals and university medical centers.
