Traditional medicine as a synergy to orthodox medicine to combat the Epidemy of non-communicable diseases in Dagbon

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are evolving in both rural and urban areas in Ghana; now predominant among poor people living in urban settings like the Tamale Metropolis. The proportion of people (84.5% Yahaya et al, 2018) in the Tamale Metropolis who have suffered from NCDs is found to be very alarming. This has resulted in increasing prevalence in acute and chronic conditions emanating from complications of NCDs illnesses. In this research piece, a mixed method approach was used to study Traditional Medicine as a Synergy to Orthodox Medicine in Combating the Epidemy of Non-Communicable Diseases in Dagbon. The study showed that, traditional medicine approach to the management of NCDs have a success rate of 92.7% of the people who have resorted to the use of Traditional medicine in Dagbon area. On the other hand, orthodox medicine gave an outcome of 63% among those who resorted to the use of Orthodox medicine. This research has found demonstratable evidence that the use of traditional medicine gives a desired outcome in the management of NCDs. Traditional Medicine practice should be given a priority and a critical look to synergize with orthodox medicine so as to enhance NCDs treatment and outcomes.