What is the role of traditional medicine in South Sudan health system and how can it be integrated into health information systems?

Traditional medicine plays an important role in health care in South Sudan, with many people consulting traditional healers before or alongside formal health services. Integrating traditional medicine into the health information system would provide a more complete picture of health service utilisation and could support collaboration between traditional healers and formal health workers. The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy provides a framework for integrating traditional medicine into national health systems, including health information systems.

Some countries in Africa have developed registers of traditional healers and systems for reporting on traditional medicine use. South Sudan could explore similar approaches, starting with a mapping of traditional healers and their practices. SSHIA is interested in exploring the role of health informatics in supporting the integration of traditional medicine into the South Sudan health system.