Integrating traditional medicine into our national health system.
Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) could be of immense benefits to Nigeria’s health system but how best to build qualitative repository practice for these classes of medicine across the country, that is the question agitating the mind of government now.
To achieve this aim, the Federal Ministry of Health is planning to partner Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board (OGAMB), as part of efforts to identify major challenges affecting the integration of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) in Nigeria’s health system and how best to build qualitative repository practice across the country.
This was disclosed during the assessment tour to OGAMB, Abeokuta by the Director, TCAM, Federal Ministry of Health, Pharm. Radiat Taitus who said the partnership would enable government carry out all the necessary investigation and orientation for practitioners in the state.
She stressed that the benefits of the study would further transform the practice for a better working relationship between the TCAM and scientific or orthodox practitioners.
Pharm. Taitus, who doubles as the Principal Investigator for TCAM studies and development project, said the studies was long overdue, explaining that the visit was to assess the facilities on ground to indicate the Board’s level of preparedness which would form part of the Federal Ministry of Health documentation of TCAM recommendation and support for the practitioners.
She commended the state government for promoting the alternate medicine practice, noting that “the format of the studies had been designed and very simple to accommodate everyone.
“It was in a questionnaires format, containing different components from sections A-E. Participants are to correctly tick in the box and provide written responses to questions in each section where necessary.
“All information collected will be kept strictly confidential. Participants’ identities will be anonymous and data will be stored securely in compliance with data protection regulations”.
She added that “only authorised researchers will have access to the data and it will be used solely for the purpose of this study. Participation in this study is going to be very simple to the level that a participant has the right to refuse or withdraw at any time without any consequences”.
In her remarks, Executive Secretary/Registrar, OGAMB, Dr. Kafayat Lawal, appreciated the team for the visit, adding that the state was ready to partner with the national agency on the assessment study and any other areas, towards the development of repository for TCAM.
She highlighted some major challenges in the sector including, lack of investors from both local and international levels, international partners, sponsors and donor agencies, as well as inadequate modern equipment among others facilities to make the evaluation easy for accuracy.
