Friday, July 10, 2020

Can Chinese Traditional Medicine Take Hold in Africa?

Development Reimagined posted on 29 June 2020 a story titled "Traditional Chinese Medicine Is Gaining Traction in Africa. Can It also Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?"

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is far less popular in Africa than traditional African healing and modern medicine.  African traditional medicine is a holistic health care approach organized into three categories: divination, spiritualism, and herbalism.  Unlike TCM, African traditional medicine is learned from healers through oral communication because the knowledge is not written down.  TCM is taught in medical schools across the world, making it more accessible.  Nevertheless, in the age of COVID-19, China's financial and logistical support of TCM makes it a future competitor in Africa.