The President of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Alhaji Shaba Mekudi, has urged the National Assembly to expedite work on passing a bill to establish the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria (TCACN).
Mekudi said the establishment of the council will help regulate the practice of traditional medicine and upgrade its standards so that it meets international expectations.
The Chairman of NANTMP made the call in Abeokuta during a workshop organized by its South-West branch in collaboration with the United Nations Federation of International Astrology on the practice of traditional medicine in Nigeria.
The theme of the two-day conference was: “Impact of NAFDAC in the Preparation and Sale of Herbal Medicine in Nigeria.”
Mekudi said: “When you go to Ghana and other countries, you will see the establishment of Traditional Medicine Councils.
“We are also using this opportunity to call on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to ensure the passage of this bill to establish traditional, complimentary and alternative councils.
“We need this council to regulate our practice and bring it up to standard. See where China is today in herbal medicine. We have to develop our tradition, even the World Health Organization has said that today 85 percent of the world is dependent on traditional medicine.
“China and other countries in the world are where they are today because of government support, but we don't have any regulatory bodies yet and that will always slow down our progress.
“We have all the available resources, we have the manpower, we have the raw material but we are not able to package these medicines and market them within the country and outside the country. We are calling on the government to help establish the Traditional Medicine Council of Nigeria.
The NANTMP President called for unity among the members, saying that when united they would be able to take traditional and alternative medicine systems to greater heights.
Delivering his address at the workshop, the African Regional Coordinator of the United Nations Federation of International Astrology (UNFIA), Professor Olumuyiwa Babalola, said the Federation's presence in the country represents an exciting opportunity to advance, empower and integrate traditional medicine. Important part of our national healthcare system.
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Babalola said: “Through training programs, the United Nations Federation of International Astrology aims to work closely with practitioners to standardize and enhance these practices, to ensure that patients receive the safest and most reliable Can get care.
“We envision building certification programs and accreditation systems in partnership with Nigerian health ministries.
“These initiatives will not only build trust between traditional healers and the public but will also provide traditional medicine a respected place in Nigeria’s broader health care system.”
In his welcome address, NANTMP South-West Chairman, Samson Soyoye, said the workshop has become necessary to enable members to broaden their horizons and conduct their business without violating the laws of the country.
Other dignitaries at the event: Prince Babatunde Adele, Registrar Traditional Medicine Board Lagos State; Chief Nurudeen Olaye Alternative Medicine Board; Professor Titilayo Hassan Advisor, Federal Ministry of Health and more.
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