The World Health Organisation has called for the regulation of traditional medicine so as to protect the public from harmful health practices.
On Tuesday, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, issued a letter urging governments to strengthen regulatory bodies for traditional health practitioners.
Dr Moeti said “The benefits of traditional medicine are evident to all, [but] there is no doubt proper regulation is essential to the provision of quality, safe and effective health care products and services.
“This is particularly important in rural areas where traditional medicine is sometimes the only affordable and available source of health care. Adherence to strict regulations would protect public safety by ensuring that traditional practitioners are properly trained and that their practice is endorsed by a regulatory body.”
Meanwhile, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), HRH, Chief Omon Oleabhiele also urged President muhammadu Buhari to establish a Traditional Medicine Board in the country.
Oleabhiele said this at the 13th African Traditional Medicine Day, organised by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos.
He said “Government should also create Traditional Medicine Board in all the states of the federation for effective regulation of traditional medicine practise.
“Beside the fact that herbal medicine is used in the country by both Nigerians and foreigners for curative purposes, there is so much more the country can gain from it. In the future, traditional medicine will benefit Nigeria more than crude oil.”
Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Drug Evaluation and Research, Mrs. Titilope Owolabi also added that 80 per cent of the population in developing countries rely on traditional medicine.
Orhii said “The agency is therefore vested with the responsibility of ensuring that all drugs and pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use, including herbal medicines that are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised and sold in Nigeria are certified and registered in accordance with the Drugs and Related Products Registration Decree. All regulated herbal medicines must conform to acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy.”