Leveraging Indigenous Knowledge for Strengthening Respiratory and Immune Health Responses: Lessons from BRICS and SADC Member States During Global Health Crises

This paper explores the parallel use of modern biomedical approaches and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in strengthening respiratory and immune health responses during incidences of global health crises. Drawing from experiences of selected BRICS and SADC countries particularly Zimbabwe, South Africa, and China, the study highlights the critical role played by traditional medicine in community-based health resilience. African Indigenous Knowledge is predominantly oral, passed down through generations, while Chinese traditional medicine has a documented lineage, offering insight into the evolution and formulation of herbal remedies. A qualitative methodology was applied to a small, purposive sample to examine how individuals incorporated traditional practices to prevent and manage, respiratory and immune-related health challenges. The findings, supported by existing literature, indicate that a significant portion of the population relies on herbal medicine due to its affordability, accessibility, and cultural familiarity. The increasing integration of physical and digital spaces globally has influenced how communities’ access and disseminate health knowledge. In particular, social media platforms have emerged as key tools for circulating information, shaping public perceptions and responses in ways that differ from past health emergencies. Despite the dominance of biomedical paradigms, Indigenous Knowledge and traditional health practices continue to play a vital role in public health systems, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study underscores the importance of formally recognizing and integrating Indigenous health knowledge into broader frameworks for managing current and future health crises.