The National Union of Medical Herbal Practitioners (NUMHP), Ebonyi State Chapter, has inaugurated the executive committee of its Abakaliki Local Government Area chapter, with the union reaffirming its support for the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru and endorsing his re-election bid.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abakaliki, was attended by executive members of the union, traditional medical practitioners and stakeholders from across the state.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of the union, Chief Dr. Ndubuisi Nwogha, said the inauguration was part of the union's ongoing exercise to strengthen its structures across the state's 13 local government areas, noting that Abakaliki became the third council area to inaugurate its executive after Ezza North and Ezza South.
He charged the newly inaugurated officers to ensure that practitioners in the council operated professionally and ethically.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that herbal practitioners do the right thing. They must not be involved in ritual practices, criminal activities or anything capable of tarnishing the image of our profession. We are here to save lives and not to destroy them," Nwogha said.
The state chairman also appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to establish a Medical Herbal Board to regulate and promote traditional medicine.
"We appeal to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to constitute a Medical Herbal Board because traditional medicine is an important aspect of healthcare delivery. Herbal practitioners deserve government recognition and support just like the orthodox medical sector," he added.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of the union, Dr. Victor Onuoha, described the inauguration as another milestone in the growth of the association, insisting that the union remained a recognised body committed to promoting professional standards among traditional medical practitioners.
He urged the state government to strengthen collaboration with the union to address the activities of fake practitioners and protect genuine members.
"We want the government to partner with us in sanitising the profession.
Collaboration between herbal practitioners and orthodox medical practitioners will strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure the protection of the public," Onuoha said.
In his remarks, the State Vice Chairman, Chief Dr. Osita Ike Ekuma, said the union would continue to identify and eliminate quacks operating under the guise of traditional medicine.
According to him, members would be encouraged to subject their practices to professional scrutiny to ensure quality service delivery.
"The essence of this union is to sanitise the profession. We will not allow fake practitioners to operate among us. Any member found wanting will face the disciplinary measures of the union in line with government regulations," he stated.
The State Woman Leader, Dr. Mrs. Angela Nwode, reaffirmed the union's support for Governor Nwifuru's administration, describing it as people-oriented.
"We are 100 per cent in support of the government of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. As a united body in Ebonyi State, we do not support any member working against the government. We are also solidly behind the governor's re-election because of his developmental strides across the state," she declared.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Izzi Local Government chapter, Dr. Sunday Mbam Ugbo, urged members to remain united and uphold the integrity of the union.
He advised practitioners to support the leadership of the association and avoid actions capable of creating division within the organisation.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ezza North Traditional Medical Doctors, Dr. Francis Ikechukwu Ezza, appealed to the state government to invest in traditional medicine through training institutions, infrastructure and financial support.
"There is a need for government to establish institutions where practitioners can acquire more knowledge on herbal medicine. Such support will improve our capacity and enable us to contribute more effectively to healthcare delivery," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated executive, the Chairman of the Abakaliki Local Government chapter, Dr. Chinedu Igwe, thanked members for the confidence reposed in the new leadership.
He pledged that the executive would work diligently to promote professionalism, discipline and unity among members while supporting the objectives of the state chapter of the union.
