An exploration of the issues to be considered in the application of indigenous medical knowledge (IMK) in the provision of healthcare by county governments in Kenya.

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The importance of indigenous Medical knowledge (IMK) systems in the delivery of quality health care services alongside modern medical practices has widely been canvassed in literature. At the same time, many countries have taken bold steps to embrace IMK systems in their health care programmes. However, in Kenya, county governments which have onerous responsibility in healthcare delivery are yet to adequately embrace IMK systems in their healthcare delivery. This study is an exploration of issues that should be considered in the application of IMK in the provision of quality healthcare by county governments in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine different categories of IMK systems; to analyze categories of IMK practitioners and to propose issues that needs to be considered in the application of IMK in the provision of quality health care by county governments in Kenya. The study used qualitative research approach. Data was collected from literature sources which were identified purposively through different search engines and based on their relevance to the research topic. The study found out that there are different systems of IMK including pharmacology, physiotherapy, spiritual therapy and surgical therapy. In terms of practitioners, the study found out that the IMK practitioners can be categorized as herbalists, generalist, bone setters, dentists, traditional birth attendants and spiritual healers. Further the issues that should be considered by county government in the application of IMK in the provision of health care include governance issues, intellectual property rights, application of IMK to health care provision, and proper management of IMK covering creation, codification, transfer, utilization, validation and preservation. The study recommended that county governments in Kenya should: involve IMK practitioners in their health care delivery; address IMK management issues and put in place appropriate legal and policy instruments to guide their efforts in integrating IMK systems in healthcare delivery. The implementation of these recommendations will ensure that county governments are able to pull back their health care challenges by appropriately investing in their IMK resources.

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