NAFKAM's role
As a collaborating centre, NAFKAM shall:
- At WHO’s request and in collaboration with WHO, continue to promote global communication and information exchange in the field of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative medicine (TCI).
- At WHO’s request, contribute in expanding WHO’s efforts on patient safety and quality of care in TCI
- At WHO’s request, support WHO to identify models of integration of traditional and complementary (T&CM) in health systems
This implies that NAFKAM, will cooperate with WHO on analysis of global investigations, contribute to the improvement of research methods, increase the competence about the field with professionals and health personnel, as well as participating in collaborative projects in research and information activities about T&CM.
Facts about T&CM
WHO defines traditional medicine as the sum of knowledges, skills and practise based on theories, experiences and perceptions with indigenous peoples of different cultures, which is used to prevent, diagnose, improve or treat physical or psychological ailments.
- Traditional medicine can treat different infectious and chronic conditions, and several new medicines are based on plants and herbs which are known to have been used for thousands of years
- In some countries, up to 80% of the population are dependent on traditional medicine as their primary health service
- Natural remedies are the most lucrative form of traditional medicine, and the total global annual revenues of it is on several billions dollar
Read more about this on the WHO website on collaborating centres.
More information about the WHO collaborating centres in T&CM.
Our original designation letter can be read as a pdf here, and you can also read our latest redesignation letter as a pdf here.
