- Nwifuru urges traditional medicine practitioners to regulate membership
By Odi Chukwuma
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has urged traditional medicine practitioners in the state to properly organize their association and ensure that only registered members practice, in order to curb quackery.
Addressing over 2,000 members drawn from the 13 Local Government Areas at WDC, Abakaliki, the Chief of Staff, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu who represented the governor said the Nwifuru administration had demonstrated people-oriented leadership across all sectors, especially health.
” In the area of health, he has done so much. When he came on board, all our general hospitals lacked medical doctors. He employed doctors and other health professionals, paid them enhanced salaries, and provided them with SUV vehicles to ensure they remain in the rural areas to serve our people,” he said.
“He also purchased advanced hospital equipments and established new health facilities, including a virology centre,” the Chief of Staff added.
Prof. Echiegu commended the association for complementing government efforts in healthcare delivery. He noted that traditional medicine healing plays a vital role in treating ailment that orthodox cannot fully address.
“We believe in traditional medicine healing. My advice to you as an association is to organize yourselves very well to ensure that only registered persons are allowed to practice. This will protect your reputation and prevent false claims from denting the image of the profession, ” he warned.
The Chief of Staff further thanked the association for endorsing the governor for a second term, noting that over 50 associations across the state had done same. He urged them to back their support with action by preserving their Permanent Voter Cards and voting for the governor and other APC candidates.
Earlier in her address, the state chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Ebonyi State Chapter, N. Dr. Amb. Stella Amadi, said the endorsement was in recognition of Governor Nwifuru’s good governance under the “People’s Charter of Needs” and for creating enabling environment for traditional practice to thrive.
The association also presented a certificate of endorsement and gift items to the governor as a mark of loyalty and total support.
