Stakeholders Partner to Reimagine Primary Health Care Through Traditional Healing and Innovation

 

 The County Government of Uasin Gishu, in partnership with Moi University and the Mastercard Foundation, has launched a new initiative aimed at integrating traditional healing knowledge with modern medical innovation to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.

During a fireside chat held on Thursday at Moi University Annex Campus, participants — including traditional healers, researchers, educators, health professionals, and county leaders — engaged in an interactive dialogue on conserving indigenous plant knowledge while advancing scientific research and promoting sustainable healthcare solutions.

Speaking while officially opening the event, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joseph Lagat hailed the initiative as a vital step toward incorporating traditional medicine into the county’s health system.

“This conversation is timely and crucial. It offers us a platform to blend traditional herbal knowledge with modern medical research, ultimately improving community health outcomes while protecting our natural heritage,” said Lagat.

Chief Officer for Promotive and Preventive Health Dr. Paul Wangwe emphasized the importance of environmental conservation to safeguard the future of traditional medicine, urging residents to plant herbal and medicinal trees.

“As forest lands continue to shrink, it is important that we preserve medicinal plants within our farms and communities. If we fail to act now, future generations may lose access to the natural remedies that have sustained our people for centuries,” he noted.

Dr. Wangwe added that traditional healing practices have long provided affordable, accessible, and culturally accepted remedies, particularly in rural areas, and that integrating them with scientific research could expand treatment options and enhance preventive care.

As part of the event, participants donated seedlings of medicinal plants to support the establishment of a botanical garden — envisioned as a living laboratory for research, conservation, and innovation in natural medicine.

Moi University Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kotut reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting collaborative research and community-centered health solutions.

“The proposed botanical garden will not only conserve valuable indigenous plant species but also serve as a hub for academic research, innovation, and cultural preservation,” said Prof. Kotut.