Address at the WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine - the main – sometimes the only – source of health care

Traditional medicine is generally available, affordable, and commonly used in large parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

For many millions of people, often living in rural areas of developing countries, herbal medicines, traditional treatments, and traditional practitioners are the main – sometimes the only – source of health care.

This is care that is close to homes, accessible, and affordable. In some systems of traditional medicine, such as traditional Chinese medicine and the Ayurveda system historically rooted in India, traditional practices are supported by wisdom and experience acquired over centuries.

In these contexts where traditional medicine has strong historical and cultural roots, practitioners are usually well-known members of the community who command respect and are supported by public confidence in their abilities and remedies.

This is the reality, and this form of care unquestionably soothes, treats many ailments, reduces suffering, and relieves pain. 

This is the reality, but it is not the ideal.