Traditional and alternative medicine practitioners across Kwara State have come together under a single umbrella body to strengthen the practice, improve regulation and address issues affecting practitioners.
The development was announced by the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Kwara State at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Offa Road, Ilorin.
The association’s General Secretary, Dr Hassan Adebayo, said the body, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Kwara State, currently has more than 45 registered associations as members across the state’s 16 local government areas.
According to him, the coming together of the practitioners is the result of years of efforts to create a unified platform for those operating in the traditional and alternative medicine sector.
“The unity is the fulfilment of years of efforts to bring traditional and alternative medicine practitioners together under a single platform,” Adebayo said.
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Association Seeks Stronger Regulation
Dr Hassan Adebayo said the association would focus on the welfare, regulation and professional development of its members while encouraging practitioners who are yet to join to identify with the umbrella body.
He also appealed to medicine hawkers, promoters and individuals advertising traditional medicine products on radio and television to register with the association and comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
He said the association was working with the Ministry of Health and relevant law enforcement agencies to establish a task force aimed at tackling adulterated and fake medicinal products in the state.
Dr Hassan Adebayo added that practitioners and medicine promoters coming from outside Kwara to sell or advertise medicinal products would also be expected to register with the association and comply with applicable regulations.
Calls For Traditional Medicine Department And Board
The association appealed to the Kwara State Government to collaborate with practitioners to establish structures that would strengthen traditional medicine practice and potentially improve government revenue.
Among its requests are the establishment of a Traditional Medicine Department within the Ministry of Health and a Kwara State Traditional Medicine Board.
It also called for land to establish a botanical garden for the cultivation of medicinal plants and a traditional medicine laboratory unit under the Ministry of Health to assess the toxicity levels of herbal products.
The practitioners further requested annual budgetary provisions for the proposed board at state and local government levels, as well as government support in securing land for a permanent secretariat.
Herbal Assembly Highlights Previous Achievements
The Chairman of the Kwara State Herbal Assemblies, Dr Adedayo Ikudaisi, said the Ministry of Health remains responsible for regulating and coordinating alternative medicine practitioners in the state through its relevant department and Herbal Unit.
Dr Adedayo Ikudaisi said government efforts in the sector contributed to the emergence of the Kwara Herbal Assembly, which he said had recorded several achievements.
He recalled that the state government inaugurated a working committee in 2017 under the supervision of the Commissioner for Health and provided an enabling environment for practitioners.
According to him, the assembly has organised herbal trade fairs across Kwara and the South-West since 2017, while practitioners have also received training and participated in engagements through the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Ilorin.
Dr Adedayo Ikudaisi said registration of practitioners had contributed to the state’s internally generated revenue, with practitioners also captured in the Ministry of Health’s database.
He added that sensitisation programmes had encouraged practitioners to improve the packaging and presentation of herbal products, including converting some products into capsules and tablets where appropriate.
Leaders Urge Practitioners To Uphold Standards
The Chairman of All Joint Herbal in Kwara State, Hon. Muhammed Jamiu Bolanta, commended members for their turnout and urged practitioners to sustain the spirit of unity.
He called for greater recognition of traditional medicine practitioners by government and the public, while promising to support initiatives aimed at developing the profession.
The Oba Isegun of Kwara State, Alhaji Muhammed Nuhu Gambari, also commended the practitioners for their efforts to build a unified association.
Gambari urged members to maintain unity and understanding and to serve as good ambassadors of the profession.
The association’s Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Omialaju, urged practitioners to operate within the law and avoid activities that could damage the reputation of the association and traditional medicine practice.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Awogbemi, called on members to practise with honesty, sincerity, commitment and responsibility.
The Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Dr Babatunde Jimoh, thanked members for their support and described the development as a new chapter for traditional medicine practice in Kwara State.
