The Ministry of Health is reportedly putting in place mechanisms that will help to formalise traditional medicine and practitioners. To this end, a number of steps have already been taken. These include the formulation of the national policy on traditional medicine, rules and regulations and a strategic plan. Traditional medicine has for long played an important role in the health care and well being of many people. This includes the role of traditional birth attendants, who in instances of limited access to conventional health care providers have played a critical role. Moreover, some traditional health remedies are also known to alleviate symptoms of a number of conditions. However, this is a field that has been open to abuse when not properly streamlined, regulated and monitored. It is not uncommon to come across stories of quack traditional healers who have conned countless people, with claims of curing health conditions that they have no expertise in. At the same time, some people are known to seek the services of such practitioners who have no competence or where conventional medicine is the only scientifically proved way for treatment and cure. Therefore, streamlining the field of traditional medicine will help in ensuring that only those registered and licensed to offer such services are allowed to ply the trade. This will protect many people from quack s, out to make a buck.At the same time, enough sensitization and information about the limits of traditional medicine should be availed to patients and the general public so that those seeking health care, make informed and realistic choices, for the good of their health. Ends
