Promoting traditional medicine in Ethiopia: A brief historical review of government policy

Past and current official policy toward Ethiopian traditional medicine is reviewed. To facilitate the objective assessment of official policy, the nature and historical origins of Ethiopian traditional medicine is examined briefly. It is noted that there is no single system of traditional medicine in Ethiopia, even though themes that are common to the many cultural groups constituting the society have been evolving. Common to most systems of Ethiopian traditional medicine are the interdigitation of 'mystical' and 'natural' explanations of ill-health and other misfortune and the holistic approach employed in dealing with illness and other personal misfortune. It is also noted that since the 1974 change of government in Ethiopia, official attitude toward the promotion and development of traditional medicine appears to have become more positive, especially, after the adoption of the Primary Health Care strategy in 1978. While this is true as far as official statements are concerned, in actual practice there continues to be considerable uncertainty about the interpretation and implementation of Government policy. It is suggested that misconceptions regarding the nature and role of traditional medicine in Ethiopian society will have to be corrected if appropriate plans and strategies are to be formulated.