The President of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), Alhaji Shaaba Mekudi, has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill to establish the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday at a workshop in Abeokuta organized by the association’s South-West branch in collaboration with the United Nations Federation of International Astro, Mekudi emphasized that the council would regulate traditional medicine practices and elevate standards to meet global expectations. The two-day workshop focused on the theme: “The Impacts of NAFDAC in the Preparation and Selling of Herbal Medicine in Nigeria.”
Mekudi highlighted the success of countries like China and Ghana, which have established regulatory bodies for traditional medicine, as a benchmark Nigeria should emulate.
“We urge the National Assembly and the Federal Government to prioritize passing the bill to establish the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Council. This regulatory body is essential to standardize and modernize our practices,” he said.
He added, “The World Health Organization states that 85% of the global population relies on traditional medicine. We have the resources, manpower, and raw materials, but without proper regulation and support, our progress is hindered. With this council, we can package and market our products nationally and internationally, just as China has done.”
Mekudi also called for unity among traditional medicine practitioners, stressing that collaborative efforts would elevate the profession.
In his keynote address, Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola, African Director of Coordination for the United Nations Federation of International Astro, described the initiative as a transformative opportunity for traditional medicine in Nigeria.
“Our mission is to empower and integrate traditional medicine into the national healthcare system through training programs, certification, and accreditation systems developed in partnership with Nigeria’s health ministries,” Babalola stated. He underscored the importance of standardizing practices to ensure safe and reliable patient care, ultimately building public trust in traditional medicine.
The South-West President of NANTMP, Samson Soyoye, in his welcome address, said the workshop aimed to educate members on operating within legal frameworks and enhancing their professional expertise.
