Designing a Policy Framework for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 through

Traditional Medicine

1. Overview of SDG 3: Good health and well-being, including the specific targets and
indicators related to traditional medicine.
 Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) is one of the 17 goals set by the United
Nations to achieve sustainable development by 2030. The goal is "to ensure healthy
lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" (United Nations, 2015). This goal
encompasses a wide range of health-related issues, including maternal and child
health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and universal health
coverage (United Nations, 2008.).
 One of the targets of SDG 3 is to "strengthen the prevention and treatment of
substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol" (United
Nations, 2015). Traditional medicine, including the use of medicinal plants and other
natural products, has been used for centuries to treat substance abuse and other
health issues.
 There are several indicators related to traditional medicine that can be used to
measure progress towards achieving SDG 3. For example, indicator 3.8.1 measures
the proportion of population with access to affordable essential medicines, including
those from traditional medicine, on a regular basis (United Nations, 2018). Indicator
3.b.1 measures the number of people receiving treatment for substance abuse,
including traditional medicine-based treatment (United Nations, 2018).
 There are several specific targets and indicators related to traditional medicine that
are relevant to SDG 3. Target 3.8, for example, aims to achieve universal health
coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care
services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and
vaccines for all (United Nations, n.d.).
 Indicator 3.8.1, which measures the proportion of the population with access to
affordable essential medicines, is relevant to traditional medicine as it can help to
ensure that traditional medicines are affordable and accessible to all (United
Nations, n.d.). Moreover, Indicator 3.c.1, which measures the proportion of health
facilities providing essential health services with trained health care providers, is also
important for traditional medicine as it can help to ensure that traditional medicine
practitioners are trained and equipped to provide essential health services.
 In addition, Target 3.b aims to reduce the number of global deaths from non-
communicable diseases by one-third by 2030, which is one of the important area
where traditional medicine can be integrated to bring the positive impact.
 Overall, the SDG 3 goal of "Good health and well-being" is broad and encompasses
many different aspects of health and well-being. However, specific targets and
indicators related to traditional medicine, such as universal health coverage and
access to affordable essential medicines, can help to ensure that traditional medicine
is integrated into healthcare systems and is accessible to all.
2. Importance of traditional medicine in achieving SDG 3: Discuss the role of traditional
medicine in addressing health issues, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,
and how it can contribute to achieving SDG 3.
 Traditional medicine (TM) plays an important role in addressing health issues,
particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is often the first point of contact
for people seeking healthcare and can be more accessible and affordable than
modern medicine (World Health Organization, 2013). In many cases, TM is the only
option available, particularly in remote and rural areas where access to modern
healthcare is limited (Sharma, 2015).
 TM has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of health issues, including
communicable and non-communicable diseases, and mental and reproductive health
problems (World Health Organization, 2013). For example, in Africa, traditional
healers are often the first point of contact for people seeking treatment for malaria,
and in many cases traditional remedies are effective in treating the disease (Sharma,
2015).
 In addition to its role in addressing health issues, TM can also contribute to achieving
SDG 3 by increasing access to healthcare and reducing healthcare costs (World
Health Organization, 2013). For example, the use of traditional remedies can be
more affordable than modern medicine, and traditional practitioners can often be
found in remote and rural areas where access to modern healthcare is limited
(Sharma, 2015).
 In conclusion, traditional medicine plays an important role in addressing health
issues, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and can contribute to
achieving SDG 3 by increasing access to healthcare and reducing healthcare costs.
 Traditional medicine (TM) plays an important role in addressing health issues,
particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Lin, 2018). Many people in
LMICs rely on TM as their primary source of healthcare, due to factors such as lack of
access to modern healthcare, cultural preference, and affordability (Lin, 2018).
 TM has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of health issues, including
chronic diseases, mental health issues, and infectious diseases (Lin, 2018). For
example, a study in Nigeria found that traditional herbal medicine was effective in
treating hypertension (Ojewole, 2005). Similarly, a systematic review in Brazil found
that traditional medicine was effective in treating depression (Brasil, 2015).
 TM can also contribute to achieving SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and
promote well-being for all at all ages (WHO, 2018). By providing access to effective
healthcare, TM can help to reduce the burden of disease and improve health
outcomes in LMICs (Lin, 2018). Moreover, TM can also play a role in addressing the
social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of education, which are key
drivers of poor health outcomes (Lin, 2018).
 In conclusion, Traditional medicine plays an important role in addressing health
issues, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and can contribute to
achieving SDG 3 by providing access to effective healthcare, reducing the burden of
disease and addressing the social determinants of health.
3. Current challenges in the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems:
Discuss the barriers to the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems,
such as lack of regulatory frameworks, lack of recognition by mainstream healthcare
systems, and lack of access to funding.
 The integration of traditional medicine (TM) into healthcare systems is a complex
process that is faced with several challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack
of regulatory frameworks for TM (WHO, 2013). In many countries, TM is not
recognized by mainstream healthcare systems and is not regulated by national
healthcare laws (Sharma, 2015). This lack of regulation can lead to the use of unsafe
and ineffective traditional remedies, and can also make it difficult to integrate TM
into healthcare systems.
 Another challenge is the lack of recognition of TM by mainstream healthcare systems
(WHO, 2013). Many healthcare providers do not have the necessary knowledge and
skills to integrate TM into their practice, and may not see the value in using
traditional remedies in addition to modern medicine (Sharma, 2015). This lack of
recognition can make it difficult to integrate TM into healthcare systems and can also
lead to mistrust between traditional practitioners and mainstream healthcare
providers.
 Access to funding is also a major barrier to the integration of TM into healthcare
systems (WHO, 2013). Many traditional practitioners do not have access to funding
for research and development, and this lack of funding can make it difficult to
integrate TM into healthcare systems (Sharma, 2015).
 In conclusion, the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems is faced
with several challenges, including lack of regulatory frameworks, lack of recognition
by mainstream healthcare systems, and lack of access to funding. Addressing these
challenges is essential for the successful integration of traditional medicine into
healthcare systems.
 One of the major challenges in integrating traditional medicine (TM) into healthcare
systems is the lack of regulatory frameworks (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). Many
countries do not have laws and regulations in place to govern the practice of TM,
which can lead to the practice of TM in an unsafe and unregulated manner (Agho,
Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). This can also make it difficult for healthcare providers to refer
patients to traditional practitioners, and for traditional practitioners to work
collaboratively with mainstream healthcare providers (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017).
 Another major challenge is the lack of recognition by mainstream healthcare systems
(Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). Many healthcare providers and healthcare systems
view TM as being inferior to modern medicine, and do not recognize the value of TM
in addressing health issues (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). This can make it difficult for
traditional practitioners to work collaboratively with mainstream healthcare
providers, and can make it difficult for patients to access TM (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé,
2017).
  A lack of access to funding is also a major challenge for integrating TM into
healthcare systems (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). Many traditional practitioners do
not have access to funding for R&D, for the training of healthcare providers, and for
the development of healthcare infrastructure (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017). This can
make it difficult for traditional practitioners to practice safely and effectively, and can
make it difficult for patients to access TM (Agho, Dibley, & Dazé, 2017).
 In conclusion, current challenges of integrating traditional medicine into healthcare
systems include: lack of regulatory frameworks, lack of recognition by mainstream
healthcare systems, and lack of access to funding. These challenges can make it
difficult for traditional practitioners to practice safely and effectively, and can make it
difficult for patients to access TM.

4. Policy recommendations for integrating traditional medicine into healthcare systems:

Discuss specific policy recommendations for integrating traditional medicine into
healthcare systems, such as the development of regulations and guidelines, the
promotion of research and development, and the promotion of collaboration between
traditional medicine practitioners and mainstream healthcare providers.
 Integrating traditional medicine (TM) into healthcare systems requires a
comprehensive policy approach that addresses the challenges faced by this process.
 One of the key policy recommendations for integrating TM into healthcare systems is
the development of regulations and guidelines (WHO, 2013). This includes the
development of standards for traditional practitioners, the regulation of traditional
remedies, and the establishment of guidelines for the integration of TM into
healthcare systems (Sharma, 2015).
 Another important policy recommendation is the promotion of research and
development (R&D) in TM (WHO, 2013). This includes the funding of research to
assess the safety and efficacy of traditional remedies, as well as the development of
new traditional remedies (Sharma, 2015). This can help to increase the acceptance of
TM by mainstream healthcare systems and make it more likely to be integrated into
healthcare systems.
 Promotion of collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and
mainstream healthcare providers is also important (WHO, 2013). This can involve the
training of healthcare providers in TM, the development of referral systems between
traditional practitioners and healthcare providers, and the promotion of
communication and collaboration between traditional practitioners and healthcare
providers (Sharma, 2015).
 In conclusion, integrating traditional medicine into healthcare systems requires a
comprehensive policy approach that addresses the challenges faced by this process.
Specific policy recommendations include the development of regulations and
guidelines, the promotion of research and development, and the promotion of
collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and mainstream healthcare
providers.
 One of the key policy recommendations for integrating traditional medicine (TM)
into healthcare systems is the development of regulations and guidelines (WHO,
 2019). This includes the development of standards for the practice of TM, as well as
the development of guidelines for the quality, safety and efficacy of traditional
remedies (Shen, 2018). This can help to ensure that TM is practiced in a safe and
effective manner and can help to build confidence in the use of TM among
healthcare providers and the general public (WHO, 2019).
 Another important policy recommendation is the promotion of research and
development (R&D) in TM (WHO, 2019). This includes the conduct of basic and
clinical research to understand the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of
traditional remedies (Shen, 2018). It also includes the development of new
traditional remedies and the improvement of existing ones. R&D in TM can help to
bridge the gap between TM and modern medicine, and can help to promote the
integration of TM into healthcare systems (WHO, 2019).
 The promotion of collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and
mainstream healthcare providers is also an important policy recommendation (WHO,
2019). This includes the development of referral systems between traditional
practitioners and mainstream healthcare providers, as well as the development of
joint training programs for healthcare providers in both TM and modern medicine
(Shen, 2018). Collaboration between traditional practitioners and mainstream
healthcare providers can help to ensure that patients receive the best possible care,
and can help to promote the integration of TM into healthcare systems (WHO,
2019).
 In conclusion, specific policy recommendations for integrating traditional medicine
into healthcare systems includes: the development of regulations and guidelines, the
promotion of research and development and the promotion of collaboration
between traditional medicine practitioners and mainstream healthcare providers.
These policy recommendations can help to ensure that TM is practiced in a safe and
effective manner, can help to bridge the gap between TM and modern medicine, and
can help to promote the integration of TM into healthcare systems.

5. Conclusion: Summarize the importance of traditional medicine in achieving SDG 3 and

the need for a policy framework to support its integration into healthcare systems.
 Traditional medicine (TM) plays an important role in achieving the sustainable
development goal of good health and well-being (SDG 3) (WHO, 2015). TM is
particularly important in low- and middle-income countries, where it is often the
only form of healthcare available (Sharma, 2015). However, the integration of TM
into healthcare systems is faced with several challenges, including lack of regulatory
frameworks, lack of recognition by mainstream healthcare systems, and lack of
access to funding (WHO, 2013).
 To address these challenges, a comprehensive policy framework is needed to
support the integration of TM into healthcare systems (WHO, 2013). This includes
the development of regulations and guidelines, the promotion of research and
development, and the promotion of collaboration between traditional medicine
practitioners and mainstream healthcare providers (Sharma, 2015).
  In conclusion, traditional medicine is an important aspect of achieving SDG 3 and a
comprehensive policy framework is needed to support its integration into healthcare
systems. This framework should address the challenges faced by the integration of
TM and should include specific policy recommendations such as the development of
regulations and guidelines, the promotion of research and development, and the
promotion of collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and
mainstream healthcare providers.
Additional

 In addition to the challenges mentioned previously, the integration of traditional

medicine (TM) into healthcare systems is also faced with the lack of education and
training of healthcare providers in TM (WHO, 2019). This results in a lack of
understanding of TM among healthcare providers and limits their ability to work
effectively with traditional practitioners (Shen, 2018). To address this, education and
training programs for healthcare providers in TM should be developed and implemented
(WHO, 2019)
 Another challenge is the lack of access to traditional medicine for marginalized
communities (WHO, 2019). This includes rural and remote communities, as well as
indigenous populations (Shen, 2018). To address this, policies that promote the
accessibility of TM for marginalized communities should be implemented (WHO, 2019).
This includes the development of community health worker programs, telemedicine
programs, and the integration of TM into primary healthcare services (Shen, 2018).
 In addition to the policy recommendations previously mentioned, it is also important to
support traditional medicine practitioners and traditional medicine industries (WHO,
2019). This can include the development of financial support for traditional practitioners
and traditional medicine industries, as well as the development of marketing and
branding strategies for traditional remedies (Shen, 2018)
 In conclusion, integrating traditional medicine into healthcare systems requires a
comprehensive policy approach that addresses the challenges faced by this process such
as lack of regulatory frameworks, lack of recognition by mainstream healthcare systems,
lack of access to funding, lack of education and training of healthcare providers in TM,
lack of access to traditional medicine for marginalized communities, and lack of support
for traditional medicine practitioners and traditional medicine industries.

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