The National Association of Traditional Practitioners of Madagascar (ANTM) is calling for tighter controls and action against individuals practicing traditional medicine without adhering to regulations. The association believes these practices damage the profession’s image and hinder its standardization. “Law enforcement remains somewhat flawed. We have legislation in Madagascar, but its implementation is particularly difficult,” laments Joséphin Andriandrainarivo, president of the ANTM.
The association specifically points to individuals offering treatments through social media and media advertisements, or soliciting clients directly in markets. According to the ANTM, these practices do not comply with the regulatory framework governing traditional medicine in Madagascar.
To strengthen sector oversight, the association advocates for the reactivation and reinforcement of communal advisory committees in various municipalities. It also recommends consolidating control mechanisms at the regional level, in collaboration with regional health directorates and local officials. These measures should allow for better coordination and help distinguish between practitioners who operate within the law and those who do not, the ANTM suggests.
The ANTM also wishes to strengthen dialogue between traditional practitioners and modern medical professionals. The association believes better consultation would clarify roles and limit conflicts or patient misdirection. It highlights cases where patients treated by traditional practitioners are discouraged or poorly advised when they wish to consult a doctor. For the association, these situations can have serious health consequences, whereas both practices should share the common goal of preserving health and life.
Furthermore, the ANTM requests to be more involved in the development of health awareness campaigns, noting that some messages can imply that traditional medicine is systematically the cause of therapeutic failures or deaths.
Traditional medicine remains significant in Malagasy society, according to data cited during the national celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day, held Friday in Anosy. On an African scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 80% of the population uses traditional medicine in various forms.
The ANTM currently brings together 17 associations representing approximately 14,000 traditional practitioners in Madagascar. The practice of traditional medicine is recognized by Decree No. 2007-805 of August 21, 2007, with articles 10 to 13 defining the ethical rules applicable to practitioners.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-30 05:38:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/medecine-traditionnelle-lantm-appelle-a-un-renforcement-du-controle-des-tradipraticiens-et-a-lapplication-de-sanctions-contre-ceux-qui-ne-se-conforment-pas-aux-normes/