MTMPN Cautions Nigerians Against Patronising Unregistered Practitioners

The Modern Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria (MTMPN), has urged Nigerians against patronising unregistered practitioners in the country.

They emphasised the importance of avoiding the consumption of herbs that could be harmful to health, particularly during a time when kidney failure and liver damage are on the rise.

The national president of MTMPN, Dr. Ibrahim Dada Nakowa, in a statement yesterday in Abuja stressed the need for individuals to verify the registration status of herbal doctors before seeking their services.

Nakowa who is also the national coordinator of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) department within the Federal Ministry of Health said the appeal serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of seeking qualified and registered traditional medicine practitioners for the safety and well-being.

The statement reads in part, “Certain herbs can pose serious risks to human health, potentially leading to kidney failure and liver damage due to the presence of toxic chemicals or heavy metals that may react adversely with other medications.

“As a recognised body, we are cautioning the public against engaging with unlicensed herbal practitioners.

“Our Association is a registered body under the Federal Ministry of Health. We are trained traditional medicine practitioners who prioritize patient safety and well-being. We do not administer herbs without first confirming their potential side effects.”

Nakowa assured the public of the efficacy of traditional medicine when administered by qualified and registered herbal practitioners.

He stressed that traditional medicine can effectively treat a wide range of diseases that orthodox medicine may not address.

Nakowa also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give his assent to the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine bill, which received approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2020.

He said the bill aims to promote the practice of alternative medicine in Nigeria.