Ethnomedicine and biomedicine linking

This paper considers the integration of the biomedical establishment with traditional medical care systems given the urgent need for health care services by the underserved masses in developing countries. The difficulties of identifying and categorizing indigenous practitioners are outlined. Several strategies are suggested for standardizing, professionalizing, or otherwise mobilizing traditional healers in the movement of achieve the World Health Organization's goal of "health for all by the year 2000". The potential benefits as well as the constraints related to such efforts are described. As examples of what attempts are being made today a link modern and traditional health care systems, programs in the People's Republic of China, India, Ghana, the Philippines and Indonesia are summarized. The paper concludes with some recommendations as well as some predictions for the next 20 years.