To what extent can traditional medicine contribute a complementary or alternative solution to malaria control programmes?

Malaria Journal

Reviews

Bertrand Graz¹  Hamisi M Malebo²  Andrew Y Kitua³ 

[1] Geneva University, IMSP/CMU, 1, rue Michel Servet, CH-1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland;National Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 9653, Ocean Road/Luthuli Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR), 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland;

关键词: Malaria;    Traditional Medicine;    Artesunate;    Malaria Control Programme;    Artemether;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S6

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Recent studies on traditional medicine (TM) have begun to change perspectives on TM effects and its role in the health of various populations. The safety and effectiveness of some TMs have been studied, paving the way to better collaboration between modern and traditional systems. Traditional medicines still remain a largely untapped health resource: they are not only sources of new leads for drug discoveries, but can also provide lessons and novel approaches that may have direct public-health and economic impact. To optimize such impact, several interventions have been suggested, including recognition of TM's economic and medical worth at academic and health policy levels; establishing working relationships with those prescribing TM; providing evidence for safety and effectiveness of local TM through appropriate studies with malaria patients; spreading results for clinical recommendations and health policy development; implementing and evaluating results of new health policies that officially integrate TM.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Graz et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011