By Idahosa Musa
Edo State Government has disclosed that it would trainTraditional Medicine Practitioners in the State as part of its collaboration towards providing qualitative healthcare services to the people.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting of Edo State Traditional Board (ETB), Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State Commissioner for Ministry of Health, said when modern and traditional knowledge are put together, the end results will better healthcare service for the people.
Oshiomhole said that traditional Medicine is an important part of Edo health system and state government is interested in partnering with traditional medicine practitioners in the State, hence, it resolved to train, register and accredit the practitioners.
“In order to work together, we are going to register and accredit Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Edo for easy identification and better working relationship with the state government.
“We are going to train you (traditional medicine practitioners) on how to keep delivery safe, handle emergency situations, and when to make a referral to the hospital”, he said.
He revealed that the administration of Governor Monday Okpehbolo, recently distributed ultrasound machines to health centers across the 18 local government areas in the state.
“Edo State Government under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpehbolo is revamping the healthcare system in Edo through the distribution of ultrasound machines to health centers across the 18 local government areas in the state.
“We have commenced free malaria test and treatment in all government owned hospitals across the state; we have fixed Intensive Care Unit (ICU ) in Edo Specialists hospital with world-class equipments”Oshiomhole added.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Edo Traditional Medicine Board, High Chief Abdu Ugbesia Anthony, said that the stakeholders meeting was to chat the way forward.
“In revamping Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, stakeholders’ meeting of this nature will be coming up from time to time, so we can brainstorm on ways forward.
“In view of the above, we all have a lot to do in repositioning the Board. Therefore, I invite you to do all you can, in rebranding trado-medical practitioners, as people that restore the sick back to health”, he said
Chief Ugbesia explained that the vision of the Board is aimed at creating enabling and regulated environment for the provision of quality traditional, complimentary and alternative medical service with a view to promoting and attaining universal health coverage in Edo.
He added that its mission is “To effectively regulate and control the training and practice of traditional, complimentary and alternative medicine practitioners in the State through capacity building”
Delivering his lecture, entitled “Indigenous Medicine And Cultural Practices In Contemporary Times In Edo State: A Call For Synergy”, Prof. Matthew Izibili, said the importance of traditional medicine in the society cannot be overemphasized
He, however, said that despite its many benefits, indigenous medicine has continued to face several challenges in contemporary times, and called for proper synergy amongst stakeholders.
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