Taiwo Bankole
The United Nations Federation of International ASTRO has announced plans to empower 75,500 members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Speaking on the initiative, UNFIA Africa Coordinator, Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola, emphasised the organization’s commitment to enhancing traditional medicine practices in the country.
“This initiative will provide training and resources to improve the production and packaging of traditional medicines using an incubation mechanism,” he said.
Babalola explained that the empowerment programme would also extend to traditional birth attendants, enabling them to play a more active role in public health.
He said, “Traditional birth attendants form an integral part of the social, cultural, and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria. Our goal is to empower them and assess their use of culturally adapted audio-visual workshops to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to promote immunization uptake.”
He further stated that the programme would provide access to grants to ensure the financial sustainability of traditional medicine practitioners.
“The initiative is designed to empower practitioners holistically, from the nitty-gritty of the incubation processes to the production and packaging of herbal medicine,” Babalola added.
At a recent conference organized by NANTMP’s Southwest chapter in Abeokuta, Ogun State, UNFIA reaffirmed its dedication to advancing traditional medicine practices in Nigeria.
The organisation announced plans to establish the UNFIA African Traditional Medicine Practitioners Centre in the country.
During the conference, Babalola outlined UNFIA’s broader goals for traditional medicine.
“We are committed to working with Nigerian authorities to develop guidelines, standards, and protections for traditional medicine practices. We will also advocate for the inclusion of traditional medicine in public health programs, national insurance plans, and community health initiatives,” he said.
He stressed the importance of protecting the intellectual property rights of practitioners and indigenous communities.
“Our work ensures that traditional knowledge is preserved and respected, not exploited. By advocating strong policies, we aim to create a sustainable framework that allows traditional medicine to thrive,” Babalola said.
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