DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
Traditional healthcare services are no longer confined to rural areas; they are widespread in urban and semi-urban areas with the influx of people from rural to urban areas in search of better economic conditions.
The department will educate and promote TCAM practices as safe and alternative healthcare options to improve the quality of life. Quality training of TCAM practitioners will help address issues of misconceptions the public have in TCAM practices. Educational programmes for practitioners and sensitization of the general public will make TCAM more popular, as a safe and acceptable means of healthcare. These could potentially improve the relationship between TCAM and other health practitioners.
The department will collaborate and facilitate the implementation of the national strategic plan for TCAM development in Ghana by intensifying the education of practitioners, encouraging ethical practices, rational usage of traditional medicine, documentation of traditional medicine beliefs and practices, and rigorous research in the field, with the aim of improving TCAM to acceptable and marketable standards .
Core functions
1. Education on TCAM to healthcare workers and creating awareness of TCAM practices to the public.
2. Advocacy for TCAM inclusion in the national healthcare system.
3. Organising educational and advocacy workshops for TCAM practitioners and the public.
4. Promotion of ITAM training programmes. These shall include certificate, diploma, and postgraduate programmes for health professionals and individuals with the relevant backgrounds.
5. Organising continuous professional development programmes and workshops for TCAM practitioners and ITAM stakeholders.
6. Education of TCAM practitioners on the need for collaborative and coordinated practices to facilitate TCAM incorporation into national healthcare programmes.
7. Education on the need for the registration of TCAM practitioners and their practice premises.
8. Assist with the patenting of discoveries made by TCAM practitioners.
9. Ensure the visibility of ITAM online through the University website, through radio and fact sheets.