Assemblée Nationale Cameroun: Urges Decrees for Loi Médecine Traditionnelle 2024

• A national workshop at Cameroon's National Assembly addressed the implementation of the Loi n°2024/018 du 23 décembre 2024 concerning traditional medicine.
• Participants recommended accelerating the publication of implementing decrees and extending the transitional compliance period for practitioners until December 2027.
• Calls were made for a national census of traditional practitioners, enhanced professional recognition, and rigorous quality control for traditional medicines.
• Economic recommendations included supporting local production and facilitating international market access for traditional pharmacopoeia.
• Advocacy is underway for a one billion FCFA allocation for traditional medicine in Cameroon's 2028 finance law.

Crucially, participants advocated for an extension of the transitional period, proposing an increase from 24 to 36 months.

A significant national workshop recently convened at Cameroon's National Assembly, bringing together parliamentary members and key stakeholders from the traditional medicine sector. The primary objective of this gathering was to critically assess the current state of traditional medicine following the enactment of the Loi n°2024/018 du 23 décembre 2024, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at structuring and regulating the practice within the country. Discussions also incorporated insights from the experience of traditional Chinese medicine, providing a comparative perspective for the Cameroonian context.

This crucial initiative was spearheaded by the Parliamentary Network for the Promotion of Health and Valorization of Traditional Medicine (REPPROSAN), under the leadership of Honorable Germain Mengue Mezui. Collaborating with SHINEAWAY establishments, the event was presided over by Mary Muyali Meboka, Vice-President of the National Assembly. The core of the deliberations centered on identifying the challenges inherent in implementing the new law and formulating concrete measures to professionalize the traditional medicine sector across Cameroon.

Among the most pressing recommendations emerging from the workshop was the urgent need to accelerate the publication of the implementing decrees for the Loi n°2024/018 du 23 décembre 2024. These decrees are essential for providing the detailed regulatory framework necessary for the effective structuration médecine traditionnelle Cameroun. Without these accompanying texts, the practical application of the law remains hindered, impacting the ability of tradipraticiens Cameroun to fully comply with new standards.

Crucially, participants advocated for an extension of the transitional period, proposing an increase from 24 to 36 months. This adjustment would push the compliance deadline for traditional medicine practitioners to December 2027, offering them additional time to regularize their professional status and meet the forthcoming requirements. Further proposals included conducting a comprehensive national census of tradipraticiens, enhancing their professional recognition, and establishing robust continuous training programs. The workshop also emphasized the imperative of instituting stringent quality control and certification mechanisms for improved traditional medicines, ensuring public safety and efficacy.

Beyond regulatory adjustments, the discussions at the National Assembly also delved into the economic dimensions of traditional medicine. Participants called for concerted efforts to support local production of traditional remedies and to facilitate the access of Cameroonian traditional pharmacopoeia products to international markets. This focus aims to unlock the economic potential of the sector, fostering growth and creating opportunities for practitioners and related industries.

Looking ahead, a significant financial commitment was proposed, with advocacy for the inclusion of a one billion FCFA allocation for traditional medicine in the 2028 finance law. This substantial investment underscores a long-term vision for the development and integration of traditional healthcare practices within Cameroon's broader health system, signaling a commitment to the continued growth and recognition of this vital sector.

Lawyers advising traditional medicine practitioners or businesses in Cameroon should note the proposed extension of the transitional period for compliance with Loi n°2024/018 until December 2027, and monitor the imminent publication of implementing decrees which will detail regulatory requirements for professional recognition, training, and product certification.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun