Integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system in Ethiopia: A systematic review of policy frameworks and implementation challenges

Emerging evidence indicates that integrating traditional and modern healthcare can improve health outcomes. However, the policy frameworks and implementation challenges that shape this integration efforts are not well understood and have not been systematically reviewed. Given the ongoing efforts of Ethiopia to strengthen universal health coverage and expand equitable access to quality care, a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence on integration policies and implementation challenges is urgently needed to inform policy reform and culturally appropriate health system planning. To identify and synthesize evidence on integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system for generating insights and a deeper understanding of policy frameworks and implementation challenges. A qualitative synthesis approach was conducted to interpret findings from multiple studies on the integration of traditional medicine into the health care system of Ethiopia. Articles published from January 1, 2010, to March 1, 2026, were searched from PubMed (including MEDLINE), Science Direct, African Journals Online (AJOL), Cochrane Library, and Research4Life. A standardized JBI tool was used to extract relevant information from all included studies. A total of 1,866 records were identified through the literature search and imported into EndNote. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. The included studies represent a diverse body of evidence comprising randomized controlled trials, qualitative research, cross-sectional surveys, and policy evaluations. They address the policy framework, implementation processes and challenges, health system outcomes, practitioner attitudes, and community utilization patterns related to integrating traditional medicine into the healthcare system. Across the included studies, evidence regarding policy frameworks and regulatory structures for traditional medicine in Ethiopia revealed partial recognition but limited operational integration within the formal healthcare system. Leveraging strong community acceptance of TM while generating robust scientific evidence could help improve access to culturally responsive, safe, and effective healthcare services in Ethiopia.