The Federal Government, on Tuesday, issued a stern warning to unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners across the country to desist from operating without proper authorisation.
It stressed that any individual or group found practising traditional medicine without a valid licence will face severe sanctions.
Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziag Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja during a strategic meeting with the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN) in collaboration with the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP).
Salako, who was represented by the Director of the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Department in the Ministry of Health, Tile Titus, emphasised that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to regulate the use of traditional medicine in the country.
According to him, although traditional medicine plays a vital role in healthcare delivery, many plants being used by untrained practitioners can pose serious health hazards if not properly identified and administered.
He said, “Not all plants are medicinal plants, and the inability to differentiate between medicinal and non-medicinal plants could be dangerous to human health.”
In his remarks, the National President of the Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Ibrahim Dada Nakowa, appealed to individuals and groups involved in traditional medicine to register with the MTMPN, which is duly recognised under the Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr Nakowa, who also serves as the National Coordinator of TCAM and Global President of Green World for Medical Plants, warned that the association would no longer condone individuals who tarnish the image of traditional medicine by administering harmful substances for financial gain.
He said, “We will not tolerate anyone bringing disrepute to our profession by using plants that are harmful to the human body. Traditional medicine must be practised with knowledge, discipline, and respect for human life.”
Also speaking, the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Dr Shaba Maikudi, urged all unlicensed practitioners to come forward and register with the recognised bodies to ensure effective operation and the advancement of traditional medicine practice in Nigeria.
He noted that the meeting underscored the government’s renewed commitment to standardising traditional medicine practice, ensuring safety, and integrating it more effectively into the nation’s healthcare system.
