Traditional medicine needs to be standardized -
Jawula
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Given the poor standards of
traditional medicine practice and products in the
country, a strategic plan must be developed in line
with the national health delivery system to ensure
better health for all, a top Civil Servant said on
Tuesday.
Lepowura Mohammed N. Jawula, Chief Director of the
Ministry of Health (MOH), said there were over
40,000 traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana
providing health care to over 80 per cent of the
population, yet there was no vibrant administration
for their regulation, control and practices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000 said
traditional medicine was the knowledge, skills and
practice of a holistic health care; recognized and
accepted for its role in the maintenance of health
and the treatment of diseases based on indigenous
theories and beliefs.
Speaking at a two-day workshop to develop a
three-year programme of work for the Traditional
Medicine Practice Council, Lepowura Jawula said the
Traditional Medicine Practice Act 2000 (Act 575),
which sought to promote, regulate and control
traditional medicine practice through the Council
needed a strategy to achieve the expected output.
He said such an action would not only be in
accordance with the MOH commitment to create wealth
through health but also save millions of cedis for
Ghana by reducing expenditure on orthodox medical
care.
Lepowura Jawula said much of the population believed
in traditional medicine for the cure of psychosis;
mental illness and bone fractures, the biggest
problem had been the dosage which might result in
worsening the problem.
He said in recognition of the invaluable
contributions of these less endowed health care
providers coupled with the huge sums of money spent
on orthodox medical care which catered for only 20
per cent of the population, they should be given the
necessary political, economic and cultural push.
Lepowura Jawula called on the Council to develop a
strategic plan within the overall context of the
traditional medicine strategic plan of the MOH,
which would carry out the budget estimate.
He said if the secretariat was empowered
logistically, it would help create awareness on good
practices, bring specialist groups under one
umbrella and eliminate quack ones.
Mr Kpogo Hlortsi-Akakpo, Registrar of the
Traditional Medicine Practice Council, said the
Secretariat since 2000 had inadequate staffing and
office accommodation and lacked reliable official
vehicle for cross-country duties.
He said because of these constraints, the mandate of
establishing the Secretariat was yet to be realized
and appealed to the MOH for increased funds to
enhance its smooth running.
GNA
