Integrating traditional and orthodox medical practices in healthcare delivery in developing countries: Lessons from Ghana

Over the years, traditional and modern healthcare practices are combined in different proportions in the treatment of ailments in different societies. The call for the integration of traditional and modern health systems has gained prominence in the global health development agenda. This paper examines the critical factors that influence the integration of traditional medical practices (TMPs) and orthodox (modern) medical practices (OMPs) in Ghana via a case study of the Wenchi Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region. A qualitative research approach was used to analyse pertinent existing literature on the subject while field was collected through face to face interviews with orthodox and traditional healthcare providers as well as healthcare seekers. Purposive sampling was employed to select 35 key informants for interview. The information collected from desk research and field work was subjected to content analysis and the results systematically presented in this paper indicated that, the critical factors that influence the integration of traditional health system and the orthodox or modern health system in the Wenchi Municipality in Ghana were multi-dimensional in character and included policy and institutional difficulties; poor attitude of both the orthodox and traditional healthcare providers; inadequately trained traditional healthcare providers; improper diagnosis and dosage of traditional medicines; and unethical practices.