Exploring the contribution of integrated healthcare practices to malaria control in Ghana: perspectives of medical herbalists
Ampomah, Irene G., Devine, Susan, Ampomah, Genevieve A., and Emeto, Theophilus I. (2025) Exploring the contribution of integrated healthcare practices to malaria control in Ghana: perspectives of medical herbalists. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25 (1). 11.
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Abstract
Background: The integration of herbal and orthodox medicines has gained momentum in global health, ensuring improved management of infectious diseases like malaria. This study explored the experiences of medical herbalists working in Ghana’s diverse ecological zones to understand the contributions of integrated healthcare to malaria control. Methods: A phenomenological design was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 purposively sampled medical herbalists. Framework analytical approach and Donabedian’s conceptual framework for quality of care were utilised in analysing the data. Results: Findings revealed high awareness of integrated healthcare practices among participants. Medical herbalists perceived integrated care as instrumental in enhancing malaria management through factors such as improved quality assurance, increased accessibility to integrated health facilities, patient-centred care, follow-up practices, and opportunities for continuous professional development. However, structural and process-related challenges were identified, including inadequate healthcare personnel, medicines, and equipment. Additionally, limited promotional activities, non-comprehensive National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and ineffective referral systems were recognised as barriers hindering the effectiveness of the integrated system and its potential contribution to malaria control. Conclusion: Although national and health system-based challenges have thwarted the importance of integration on malaria control, medical herbalists feel optimistic about the intervention. To optimise the effectiveness of integrated healthcare in controlling malaria in Ghana would require policy modification and implementation. Future research could focus on developing healthcare frameworks, particularly for malaria, that prioritise quality service delivery within an integrated system.
| Item ID: | 87707 |
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| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 2662-7671 |
| Keywords: | Ghana, Integrated healthcare, Malaria, Providers, Traditional herbal medicine |
| Copyright Information: | © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jan 2026 04:37 |
| FoR Codes: | 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4208 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine > 420899 Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine not elsewhere classified @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 20 HEALTH > 2004 Public health (excl. specific population health) > 200404 Disease distribution and transmission (incl. surveillance and response) @ 100% |
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