Group Seeks Inclusion Of Alternative Medicine In Health Sector

By Mathew Ayoola

The Association of Integrative Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to create a board of traditional, complimentary and Alternative medicine in the nation’s healthcare system.

The National President of the Association, Dr. Johnson Elechi made the call in Abuja during the 3rd Annual National Conference On Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Elechi said the call became necessary to further strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector and assis tlthes privileged nigerians with no access to the conventional healthcare delivery.

“Under this plan, the board would be expected to compile statistics on how many patients attend Complimentary and Alternative Health Institutions and also by this plan promote and formulate the teaching of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine in institutions throughout the country” he stated.

According to him, this is a turning point in the country’s health sector, because any decision made now would affect the entire people of Nigeria in the future.

“I believe you would take advantage of this medium and get our help as there are so many people in our association of integrative medicine in these practice that will guide you in making Alternative and complimentary medicine to attain its undisputed place as it is practiced in countries like India, South Africa, USA and Britain and i am proud to inform you that there are many Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the practice of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine”Dr Elechi added.

Speaking on the theme of the conference”Integrative Medicine: The New Global Medical Paradigm Shift “, the National Secretary of the Association, Dr. Usman Chiroma called for the passage of the Traditional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Bil before the National Assembly to further change the narrative in Nigeria’s Healthcare system and bring healthcare delivery closer to the people.

Dr. Chiroma who expressed concern over the present state of the healthcare system in the country expressed the readiness of the Association to compliment the efforts of Government in repositioning the sector.

Other Speakers at the conference emphasized the need for effective public-private sector collaboration in developing the nation’s health sector.

They therefore called on the participants to come up with strategies that would make Traditional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine more acceptable by the generality of Nigerians.

The Conference which was attended by members of the Association across the country featured paper and award presentations as well as inauguration of the FCT Board of the Association.

Edited By Grace Namiji