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NCPNM, Akwa Ibom chapter celebrates 2021 African Traditional Medicine Week.

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Akaiso Akaiso, Uyo.

 

Traditional Medicine practitioners from Akwa Ibom state under the aegis of Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine on Monday 30 Aug – Friday 3 Sept. joined their counterparts across Africa to celebrate African Traditional Medicine Week in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

The well attended event organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo was held in Onyema Ugochukwu auditorium.

It was declared open on Tuesday 31 August by the Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (academic), Prof Anthony P. Udo.

In his opening remarks the Vice Chancellor encouraged people to embrace traditional medicine in treatment of ailments, especially those ones that are not responding to orthodox medicines, adding that traditional medicines could be more efficacious and cheaper.

“People should not feel that traditional medicine is inferior to regular medication. And I encourage traditional medicine practitioners to see how they can exploit from their angle in order to save lives.

If we are able to develop our traditional medicine which is the purpose of this meeting, it may be more efficient and cheaper than orthodox medicines”, he added.

The vice Chancellor who described the theme of the week long celebration, Traditional Medicine – Research and development as apt, called for collaboration between the traditional medicine practitioners and medical doctors for a wholesome healthcare delivery.

“Traditional Medicine is an approved way of treating ailments. In some countries medical doctors work side by side with traditional medicine practitioners.

I think this event is good for everybody particularly now that the world may be looking for alternative or cheaper ways of dealing with ailments, especially Covid 19”, he maintained.

On his part, Dr Emmanuel Ati of  the faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, the organizers of the program, said the program was organized to teach the participants on how best to present these traditional medicines for optimal benefit for them and users.

He said at the end of the event participants will be taught on standardization of their products to enhance acceptability and efficiency.

“If you give black medicine to children they won’t take it. But if you prepare it in form of chocolate and add different colors they will be eager to take it.

At the end of the week celebration ending on Friday participants will be let in on many ways to give traditional medicine its pride of place in healthcare delivery.”

He disclosed plan by stakeholders in pharmaceutical sub sector to embark on awareness campaign to the dealers on traditional medicines towards ensuring that they practice in line with approved standard.

Papers were presented by experts on various topics, even as  participants relived what they have been taught during the week, one of them was Dr. Richard Richard who said he has learned a lot which will help him take care of his patients better when he gets back home.

 

 

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