Commentary on the Need for Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Legislation in the Gambia

Abstract

Background: The Gambia, a country of over two million people with a deep history of traditional medicine in the African Continent still has no legislation to regulate the practice and promotion of traditional medicines. The striking thing is that it is the only country on the African Continent that had a former President, Yahya Jammeh, publicly declare his support for traditional medicines.  Yet one will be wondering why his government could not take the practical steps to formulate legislation on traditional medicines.   Aim: Yahya Jammeh’s government promoted traditional medicine, but could not advocate for a legislation to regulate traditional and natural remedies in the Gambia. This is a question that bothers me as a Naturopathic Professor with an interest in African Naturopathy.  Others also argued that his quest for traditional medicine recognition in the Gambia healthcare did not follow standardized protocol. This notwithstanding, the practice of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine in the Gambian healthcare cannot be overlooked as it is a constitutional right. Hence, this commentary aims to investigate the constitutional and other statutory provisions on traditional medicines in the Gambia and their recognitions. Methods: I review several legal documents in the Gambia to evaluate their justifications for traditional medicine recognition and the need for legislation. Results: The Constitution of the Gambia recognizes the customs of the people as part of the laws. The Evidence Act 1994 of the Gambia further notes that custom is admissible in evidence.  Hence, traditional medicine is part of the customs of the people of the Gambia. Conclusion:  I emphasize that if the customs of the people are recognized by the Constitution and the Evidence Act, then, the trade or businesses of the people are also recognized. It is therefore prudent for the medical business of traditional medicine to be given full recognition in healthcare to improve the lives of the people. Hence, in this paper, I provide a commentary on the need for legislation on Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines Practice in the Gambia.