Chinese medicine in medical practice in Africa

As a prelude to the motivations and interest of the subject it seems appropriate to outline some preliminary thoughts on the issue. Upon gaining independence almost all African states inherited only embryonic administrative structures in various areas. In this context Côte d'Ivoire had only a fairly limited health system. This resulted in poor medical coverage in terms of modern medicine. Nevertheless in localities with health facilities the treatment of diseases was the sole responsibility of the state. In other words in the 1960s and 1980s in Ivorian health facilities as elsewhere in Africa the cost of healthcare was the responsibility of the state but with the help of a few private clinics. This welfare state dynamic was severely tested during the 1980s and 1990s. The deterioration in raw material prices plunged the economies of developing countries into a severe economic recession.