Traditional Medicine is an aspect of medical care that is now gaining traction. In Nigeria, the Federal Government has now recognised it. This is why the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines (TCAM) Department was established in Nigeria following approval by the Head of Service in April 2018. Its full operations started in July 2018. The department aims to make traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines (TCAM) respected treatment options in Nigeria, to preserve Cultural Heritage and to provide quality healthcare. The vision is for conventional and TCAM practitioners to work legally and collaboratively, and to allow patients to make informed choices about their healthcare.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Traditional Medicine includes the collective knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences unique to various cultures. Whether scientifically explained or not, it is used to maintain health, and prevent, diagnose, improve, or treat physical and mental illnesses. As an aspect of this kind of medical care, it should not be confused with “complementary medicine” or “alternative medicine”, which describes a wide range of healthcare practices not typically part of a country’s traditional or conventional medicine and not fully integrated into the main healthcare system. In some countries, these terms are used interchangeably with traditional medicine. Then, another aspect, herbal medicines, consist of herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products that use parts of plants or other plant materials as active ingredients, either alone or in combination.
Four main areas of the department focus on unique tasks.
Recognising the role of this field, the government’s mission is to create an environment that supports the development of TCAM, improving the national health system and ensuring that the country benefits economically. The department’s mandate includes developing, implementing, reviewing, and monitoring policies related to TCAM, promoting the commercialisation of indigenous Nigerian traditional medicine, and integrating it into the national healthcare system. The department is divided into four main areas. The Traditional Medicine Practice (TMP) division focuses on regulating TMP, developing training guidelines, and strengthening cooperation between traditional medicine providers and other healthcare providers. It also works on protecting this knowledge and providing reliable information to consumers.
The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) division develops and implements national policies, evaluates and monitors CAM hospitals, and works on registering its therapeutic products. It also collaborates with various organizations to ensure the quality and safety of CAM practices. The Herbal Product Production and Commercialization division encourages local production and marketing of standardized TCAM products, collaborates on registering herbal products, and promotes the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants. It works closely with regulatory bodies to ensure the quality of Nigerian herbs. Finally, the Research and Development division develops and disseminates the Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia and a National Compendium of Medicinal Substances. It works with research institutes and universities to study , assesses treatments for diseases, and develops national standards for evaluating safety and effectiveness concerning TCAM.
Efforts have been made to integrate these fields for better results.
In Nigeria, many people, especially those far from hospitals, rely on traditional healers. These healers use natural ingredients like herbs and roots passed down through family history. Being part of the community and, by extension, the Culture bestows on them the trust of the people. This practice concerns not just plants but also things like massages and spiritual healing, depending on the illness. People use it because it’s closer and cheaper than hospitals. It also fits better with their beliefs, especially for things thought to have spiritual causes. Traditional healers can also give advice on healthy living and preventing sickness.
Also, the Nigerian government recognizes its value and is working to make it safer and more respected. This includes training healers and checking their practices. They engage in researching traditional remedies to verify their efficacy and if their compatible with modern medicine. Traditional and modern medicine can create a better healthcare system for everyone in Nigeria by working together. This would offer more choices for treatment, especially for long-term illnesses. It would also ensure people are happier with the healthcare system because the system would integrate their traditions into it.
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Summarily, traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) can provide several benefits when used alongside conventional medical treatments for various health conditions. Its benefits include access to more treatment options, palliative care to manage the side effects of conventional treatments, improved mental and emotional well-being, and increased patient satisfaction. Integrating traditional products and practices with modern medicine can support overall health and ensure safe and effective treatment of health conditions. However, T&CM should not replace or delay seeking conventional healthcare. People with serious and urgent medical conditions, such as aggressive Cancer or high fever in a young child, should see their healthcare provider and use all effective conventional treatments available.