Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine (PROMETRA) International

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PROMETRA International
BP 6134 Dakar Etoile, Senegal

Telephone: (221) 832-2850
Fax: (221) 832-5749

Email: prometra@prometra.org
Website: http://www.prometra.org

Erick Vidjin’ Agnih GBODOSSOU, President, erick@refer.sn

Description

PROMETRA was established in 1971 under the initiative of Professor Colomb, Professor Delauture and Professor Paul Correa through the launching of Programs aimed at rehabilitating traditional medicine and indigenous civilisation values. It has twenty-two (22) chapters throughout Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and USA with the headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. Specifically, its objectives are:

• To promote and preserve Traditional Medicine and to create links among cultures throughout the world
• To organize at the national level, leaders of ancient religions, traditional cult priests and traditional healers in order to allow them to fully play their role,
• To bring technical assistance in projects related to the rehabilitation of traditional medicine, ancient religions and universal spirituality,
• To document the basis of a science, not well known, for a better understanding of the rationality of African practices.

These objectives are accomplished through scientific research and provision of traditional medicine services, education, training and advocacy, scientific, cultural and spiritual exchanges. In scientific research, PROMETRA focuses on the areas of HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, viral hepatitis and dermatosis. Clinical observational studies are conducted at the Center for Experimental Traditional Medicine (CEMETRA) in Fatick, Senegal. Training of traditional practitioners throughout Africa with a scientifically based curriculum, entitled FAPEG that covers the topics of HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health issues and natural family planning is also conducted. To build bridges between Africa and the diaspora, the organization conducts study tours in which sons and daughters of Africa are encouraged to return home through cultural and spiritual journeys.

PROMETRA works with many different institutions in all parts of the world including Asia, Africa, Europe, the USA and international organizations. This compounds research collaboration with diverse institutions of higher learning in those parts. Among the others are Ford Foundation, COSAAN Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, Fondation du Présent, Geneva, Switzerland, Taksu Bali Foundation, Council for Non-Governmental Organizations for Support to Development (CONGAD), USAID, NOVIB - Netherlands Organization for International Development Cooperation, Austrian Cooperation, French Mission of Cooperation and Cultural Action, WHO, WHO/AFRO, UNAIDS among others.

Track Record

Numerous achievements can be attributed to PROMETRA’s work. This is evidenced by the considerable political support from African leaders and recognition by regional and international organizations for PROMETRA´s pioneer work in traditional medicine. This is demonstrated on a continuous basis from the publications and websites. The recognition is attributed to the diverse initiatives PROMETRA took to demonstrate the importance of traditional medicine in the African setting. To mention a few, the formation of the Malango, an association of around 450 traditional healers (22 percent of whom are women) based in the Fatick region of Senegal, is one of its kind in Africa which resulted in the establishment of CEMETRA. The rate of success of the Malango healers' treatments for symptoms of opportunistic infections (including thrush, skin disorders, diarrhoea and wasting) and other diseases is high.

PROMETRA developed a participatory, train-the-trainer curriculum (FAPEG Method Healers’ Self-Proficiency Training) for traditional healers, which covers the subjects of HIV/AIDS, infant oral rehydration, and natural family planning. So far, PROMETRA has trained over 5000 traditional healers using this curriculum. This is significant since approximately 85 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa receives their health education and health care from traditional practitioners. The added value of the FAPEG curriculum lies in its capacity to train non-readers.

PROMETRA trained around believes that positive progress in the area of health care and health education requires two elements: the right message and the right messenger. A network of officially recognized traditional medicine organizations has been developed and maintained for the purposes of education, research, advocacy and public policy that strengthens the work of PROMETRA.

CEMETRA being a flagship of PROMETRA accomplished several multidisciplinary and cross-sector-based research studies, independently and in collaboration with its partners which are vital for the recognition of traditional medicine. Among the many studies done are on HIV/AIDS in Africa/ The role of Traditional Medicine (1999) and the Efficacy of African Herbal Medicine (METRAFAIDS) in the Treatment of HIV Positive African Populations – Report of Clinical Observational Study (2002).

Other than being a precursor in the production of information on Traditional Medicine, PROMETRA has also marked milestones in the dissemination of the same. This has been achieved through its many publications, video documentaries and active website.

One of its many products in research is the study on ´promoting the use of traditional medicine in the national health care systems of Africa´ that aimed to build a bridge between traditional and modern medicine throughout the continent of Africa in order to facilitate the legalization of traditional medicine and incorporate traditional medicine practices into the official health care structure in the continent. The product is used as a basis for advocacy to narrow the gap between traditional and modern medicine throughout Africa.

A network of officially recognized traditional medicine organizations has been developed and maintained for the purposes of education, research, advocacy and public policy. It advocates for the legalization of traditional medicine and the intellectual property rights protection of traditional knowledge.

On a practical front, they have established traditional hospitals where they admit patients whom they treat with their own grown and processed herbal medicine. They have very thorough medical records.

Through conducting annual study tours, they build the bridges between Africa and the black Diaspora to encourage the return of Africans abroad to Africa through cultural and spiritual journeys such as the 2006 Way of Remembering – A Journey to Benin in 2006. It also organizes participation in cultural, ancestral and Vodoun religious ceremonies; workshops with traditional and spiritual leaders; and meetings with policy makers. In an attempt to keep the memory of history, they have established a Door of Return Museum in Ouidah, Benin which documents the holocaust of slavery; the contribution of African kingdoms and the outstanding legacies of Africans who have changed the world in which we live.

PROMETRA works with many different institutions in Africa, USA, Europe, and Asia. This organization capitalizes on its vast knowledge of traditional medicine and healing in Africa and links it with modern science through cooperating with reputable international health related institutions. The immense networks and partnerships developed is an indication of the seriousness of their programs especially its wholistic approach to healing as an alternative to inadequate classical medicine in Africa.

The first international conference on traditional medicine and AIDS in Africa was hosted in March 1999 by the PROMETRA in Dakar, Senegal, to respond to the need of promoting traditional medicine. The conference was followed by a series of presentations on traditional medicine, together with a parallel session, at the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (ICASA) in Lusaka, Zambia, in September 1999. At the ICASA meeting, it became clear that there is.

Challenges and Opportunities

Given the achievements mentioned, the main challenge is to sustain the work and thrust of PROMETRA across Africa. This provides a noble opportunity for cooperation partners to contribute to a solid health system in Africa.

Other challenges facing the organizations include the lack of incentives by the government, standardization on the use of doses, policy guideline to regulate Traditional health care, sound training in herbal medicine which need to be included in the National curriculum and inadequate industries to process traditional medicine.

Although traditional health systems are locally accessible and culturally relevant, they must first be rendered safe. Mutual misunderstanding between modern and traditional practitioners, weak organization of healers, and sensationalist media reporting all contribute to the marginal status of traditional medicine in African countries.

Increased urbanization and change in societies make it necessary to modernize and develop traditional medicine and practice to meet demand in the context of changes in habits, cultural values, the environment, and economic conditions.

This will require a new legal framework to prevent the exploitation of indigenous knowledge and resources. The picture that emerges is that overall; Uganda has a supportive environment for promoting traditional medicine.