UNESCO Non-discrimination against Traditional Medicine

Basic issues 

 Non-discrimination 

Non-discrimination against traditional medicine entails recognizing it and respecting the rights of

traditional practitioners. In many areas they are the first port of call for local people, either because

of cultural tradition or because these communities have no access to modern health care. However,

it is wrong to invoke protection of tradition and cultural identity, which is a de facto right, to prevent

individuals from receiving exact and adequate information on the causes of their illnesses and

obtaining effective treatment. It must again be stressed that people have a right to high-quality

health care, regardless of the medicine they are dealing with. 

In the case of traditional spiritual practices, the situation is more complicated, as they are based on

a symbolic bond that is considered an essential part of the therapeutic relationship itself. However,

the principle of non-discrimination does not entitle practitioners to prevent patients receiving vital

treatment by claiming to have an effective or even miracle cure for acute or serious diseases or

offering spiritual diagnoses based on local beliefs to persuade patients not to undergo recommended treatment. The medical responsibility demanded of practitioners of modern medicine also applies to traditional practitioners. 

The best facilities for diagnosis, treatment and prevention should be available to every patient in

every country, whatever the cult ural context. It would be unacceptable to allow a two-tier health

system to develop – one for the wealthy and another with easier and cheaper access for low-

income social groups – since this would be to approve discrimination. Traditional medicine and

modern medicine can coexist if bridges are built between them. If a traditional therapy has proved

effective, it should be universally available. But respect for cultural diversity and the fact that, in

many cases, poor people do not seek what they do not know exists cannot serve as excuses for

loosening or casting off the bonds of justice and solidarity in a world where life expectancy is more

than 80 years for some and less than 50 years for others. Our public health systems are responsible for ensuring that the right to high-quality care is respected. 

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002174/217457e.pdf