The Registrar of Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Mr. Babatunde Adele, highlighted the crucial role of traditional medicine in attaining Sustainable Development and Universal Health Coverage. He made this statement during a press conference organized by the LSTMB to commemorate the 2023 African Traditional Medicine Day in Lagos.
Adele pointed out that approximately 80 percent of Africa’s population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. This statistic underscores the substantial contribution of traditional medicine to healthcare services in Africa and, by extension, in Nigeria.
Moreover, Adele revealed that the Lagos State Government is actively developing an integrated model of traditional medicine, particularly at the primary healthcare level, to address specific healthcare gaps. This approach aims to enhance healthcare services and make them more accessible to the population.
A significant achievement highlighted by the Registrar is the notable reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates attributed to traditional medicine practitioners. This reduction is attributed to the periodic training and retraining initiatives conducted by the LSTMB.
Adele stressed the importance of recognizing traditional medicine practitioners and their products on par with conventional healthcare, calling for collective efforts in this regard. Lagos State, he asserted, stands as a prominent example among Nigerian states in adhering to global best practices in the field of traditional medicine.
The Registrar’s statements reflect the growing recognition of traditional medicine’s vital role in healthcare delivery, especially in regions where it serves as a primary source of healthcare for a significant portion of the population. This acknowledgment and commitment to improving traditional medicine are significant steps toward achieving healthcare sustainability and universal coverage.
