The appeal was made, Thursday in Abakaliki during the inauguration of a spiritual materials centre established by Dr Mrs. Ijeoma Peace Kopurum, a traditional medicine practitioner, an event attended by leaders and members of the practitioners’ union.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chairman of the National Union of Medical Herbal Practitioners, Ebonyi State chapter, Chief Dr. Ndubuisi Nwogha, said the absence of a properly constituted board had created regulatory gaps that allow unqualified individuals to masquerade as traditional healers.
According to him, the board, which previously existed during past administrations, has remained inactive despite practitioners continuing to pay statutory fees to the government.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board would provide an institutional framework for monitoring the activities of practitioners, ensuring professional standards and identifying quacks who engage in criminal activities under the guise of traditional medicine.
Nwogha also urged government authorities to recognise the role of indigenous medicine in healthcare delivery, noting that traditional practitioners have historically provided complementary health services to communities.
“The government should not see us as people practising evil. Everything we do is aimed at preserving life and promoting peace in society. If the government engages us properly and verifies our practices, they will realise that we are contributing positively to the health and wellbeing of the people,” he said.
He further appealed to the state government to organise workshops, training programmes and support initiatives for practitioners to improve professional standards within the sector.
Also speaking, Dr. Ikechukwu Ezza, proposed chairman of traditional medicine practitioners in Ezza North Local Government Area, emphasised the need for stronger organisation among practitioners in order to safeguard the integrity of the profession.
Ezza noted that traditional medicine was not merely a commercial venture but a cultural and spiritual calling inherited through generations.
“It is something many of us inherited from our ancestors. In many cases, it is not a profession you choose but one you are called into. Our duty is to use the knowledge of herbs and natural remedies to help people and save lives,” he explained.
He called on the government to support practitioners through financial assistance, research support and the establishment of facilities that would enable herbalists to develop and refine indigenous medicines.
According to him, such initiatives would not only strengthen the traditional healthcare system but also reduce the country’s dependence on foreign medical solutions.
Ezza also stressed the importance of screening and retraining practitioners to eliminate individuals who engage in harmful practices while falsely presenting themselves as traditional healers.
“Many people claim to be traditional doctors without the proper knowledge or lineage. Proper regulation and training will help separate genuine practitioners from those who damage the reputation of the profession,” he added.
The chief host of the event, Mrs. kopurum, described the opening of her spiritual materials centre as the fulfilment of a long-held vision aimed at supporting traditional healing practices and making essential materials accessible to practitioners and the public.
She said the facility would serve as a centre for spiritual and herbal materials used in traditional healing, while also supporting her long-term goal of establishing a traditional learning centre and a humanitarian home for less privileged members of society.
Kopurum further urged government authorities and policymakers to give greater recognition to African traditional medicine, noting that it forms the foundation of indigenous healthcare systems.
“Our forefathers relied on traditional medicine and lived long, healthy lives. We must revive and strengthen our cultural heritage rather than abandoning it,” she said.
Participants at the event reiterated that improved collaboration between government and traditional medicine practitioners would enhance public confidence in indigenous healthcare while ensuring proper oversight of the sector.
They maintained that the reconstitution of the Traditional Medicine Board would be a critical step toward institutionalising standards, promoting research and safeguarding the integrity of traditional medical practice in Ebonyi State.
