Ethiopia’s health strategy gives recognition to domestic traditional medicines, expertise

Addis Ababa, October 27, 2022 (FBC) – Traditional medicine is the foundation of modern medicine not only in Ethiopia, but globally, said Health Minister Dr. Lia Taddese.

On Thursday 27 October, an annual cultural medicine gathering was held in Bor Mountain in Yem special woreda, Southern Peoples’ Region.

At the same time, Dr. Lia said that studies show that 80 percent of the Ethiopian population uses traditional medicine once in their lifetime.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Health has paid massive attention to indigenous traditional medicines and expertise in its strategic plan.

Every ethnic in Ethiopia has an untold story, said head of the Southern Peoples Region, Ristu Yerdaw.

Apart from its economic importance, the Yem tribe’s traditional medicine gathering is an indigenous culture that can be a tourist attraction. Therefore, the regional government will pay attention to it, he pledged.

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Kejela Merdasa, on his part, said that his office is working to establish an independent team that studies and promotes national values ​​and indigenous expertise.

Yem tribe harvests medicine for animals and humans only once a year on October 17th, which is called Samoeta by the tribe.