Traditional Medicine Board Advocates Synergy Among Practitioners

The Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Prof. Adebukola Oshintelu has called on practitioners in the State to form a formidable body through which their trade can be enhanced and potentials optimised.

Prof. Oshintelu, who made the call while speaking on a live phone-in programme, tagged “Issues in the News” aired on Radio Nigeria 103.5 FM, emphasised the need for traditional medicine practitioners to form a common front like the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in order to command the respect and recognition they deserve.

“We need to find a way of becoming one formidable body that will be able to reorganise traditional medicine, while being able to get support and recognition in society”, she said.

On efforts being made by the Board to find a cure to the Coronavirus disease, the Chairman stated that traditional medicine practitioners are discussing possible solutions, revealing that samples have already been sent to relevant bodies for testing and thorough examination before being ratified for human consumption.

She maintained that Nigeria is endowed with lots of medicinal plants to combat the pandemic, stressing that “what we need is to focus on these plants to boost our immunity and reduce inflammation”.

While applauding the Central Bank’s pledge to back researchers financially, the Chairman opined that the initiative would go a long way in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, just as she solicited for collaboration between orthodox and traditional medicine practitioners for optimal results in the health sector.

Oshintelu also implored all traditional practitioners to know their limits while managing patients, noting that “when surgery or other intervention is needed, practitioners should refer patients promptly. It is not advisable for them to hold on to cases that they cannot handle”.

The Chairman commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the moral and financial support the State government has given to the Board, soliciting that a laboratory be set up to test the efficacy as well as toxicology of medicinal plants and also explore the management of metabolic diseases with traditional products.