Board for traditional medicine will strengthen health sector, say practitioners

The Association of Integrative Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to create a board of  complementary, alternative, and traditional medicine in the nation’s healthcare system.

The association said the call became necessary to further strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector and assist some less privileged Nigerians who could not have access to conventional healthcare delivery.

The association’s National President, Dr. Johnson Elechi, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday during the third annual national conference on integrative medicine.

He said, “I call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially the Federal Ministry of Health to create a board of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine if the current programme to provide a better health care delivery system to Nigerians is to succeed during this period of pandemic all over the world.

“Under this plan, the board would be expected to compile statistics on how many patients who attend Complimentary and Alternative Health Institutions and also by this plan promote and formulate the teaching of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine in institutions throughout the country”.

He urged the FG to take a cue from countries like India, South Africa, and the United States of America and give more attention to alternative and complementary medicine in the country.

Elechi added, “I believe you would take advantage of this medium and get our help as there are so many people in our association of integrative medicine in these practices that will guide you in making alternative and complementary medicine to attain its undisputed place as it is the practice in countries like India, South Africa, USA, and Britain.

“I am proud to inform you that there are many Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the practice of complimentary and alternative medicine”.

Speaking on the theme of the conference” Integrative Medicine: “The New Global Medical Paradigm Shift “, the National Secretary of the Association, Dr. Usman Chiroma called for the passage of the Traditional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Bil before the National Assembly to further change the narrative in Nigeria‘s Healthcare system and bring healthcare delivery closer to the people.

Chiroma who expressed concern over the present state of the healthcare system in the country expressed the readiness of the Association to compliment the efforts of the Government in repositioning the sector.

SOURCE: PUNCH

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