In a bid to regulate the activities of traditional medicine practitioners, w Lagos State Government introduced a Code of Conduct.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled a 12-page document at a public
symposium held to commemorate the year 2022 African Traditional Medicine Day in Lagos.
The handbook which was put together by the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), outlines the guidelines for traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine practitioners, as well as botanical and herbal product dispensers (Alagbo), just as it states offenses and penalties for defaulters.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, reiterated that there is a need to ensure proper monitoring of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine because 80 percent of citizens patronize traditional and alternative health care practitioners for their health care needs.
Akin stated that there are about 10,000 registered traditional medicine practitioners in the State, which is in excess of 4000 orthodox doctors in Lagos.
He said that the state government will take responsibility for ensuring that the traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine practice is in line with best practices.
He added that the government will continue to educate citizens on the benefits of traditional medicine to ensure that practitioners operate within their scope of practice.
Speaking further, Mr. Sanwo-olu urged members of LSTMB to maintain good work ethics and professionalism, warning that anyone found practicing any form of healthcare delivery without a license, will be sanctioned and prosecuted.
He decried the high incidence of quackery, traditional medicine hawkers, and concoction mixers, stating that it posed a serious health risk to the community.
The Governor acknowledged the efforts and immense contributions of traditional medicine practitioners to the health sector through the provision of alternative means of treating some terminal diseases.
However, Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Jaji, I appreciated the resilient members of LSTMB for their tenacity in harnessing the development of traditional medicine for both the health and economic development of the people.
Recall that African Traditional Medicine Day is celebrated every 31 August to promote the importance of the continent’s rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and herbs in improving well-being, according to the WHO African region.
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