By Ejiofor Toochi
In Nigeria, when people fall ill, their first instinct is usually to visit a pharmacy or a doctor. Not everyone opts for traditional remedies or seeks out ‘agbo’ (herbal medicine) from local vendors. According to NAFDAC, about 70% of drugs consumed in the country are imported. Nonetheless, there are instances where individuals turn to traditional medicine, when conventional treatments do not bring the desired results.
George Dosu, a Complementary and Alternative Medical practitioner has emphasized the need to preserve traditional medicine in the face of modernization. He believes that the rich heritage of traditional medicine is being overshadowed by modern practices, resulting in Nigerians abandoning their roots.
Dosu, who is also a laboratory scientist, advocates for a balance between modern and traditional medicine— an integrative approach for well-being. “I want to believe that there should be a balance which is what we’re trying to achieve. That’s where complementary alternative medicine comes in,” he stated.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) involves the use of treatments that either complement or substitute conventional medical practices.
Describing traditional medicine as the mother of orthodox medicine, Dosu explains, “Traditional medicine uses natural herbs which means it’s natural to the human body. There’s hardly any pharmaceutical drug that doesn’t have any side effects or toxic effects on the body. Traditional medicine is just like eating your normal vegetables and fruits and using it strategically to achieve wellness.” He added that it’s non-invasive—it doesn’t involve surgery.
Dosu’s journey into the world of traditional medicine began with a personal health crisis. Like many others, he once viewed traditional medicine as outdated and unorthodox. However, after a near-death experience led him to seek recovery through traditional remedies, his perspective changed. He also witnessed several cases with other patients of breast cancer, stroke, fatty liver disease and diabetes where traditional medicine succeeded where orthodox failed. Dosu then became certified and now identifies himself as a ‘chief of two blocks’—a hybrid who blends both traditional and orthodox medical practices.
He argues that some medical practitioners in today’s generation may doubt the effectiveness of traditional medicine, largely due to ignorance. “Anybody in orthodox medical world who doesn’t believe in traditional medicine is actually short sighted. If you look at most of our antibiotics, antimalarials and other drugs, their root is from herbs,” he asserted.
Efforts have been made to integrate traditional medicine into the healthcare system in Nigeria. In July 2018, the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Department under the Ministry of Health, commenced operations on policy development, regulation, and the commercialization of traditional medicine.
Due to recent economic hardships and rising pharmaceutical costs, more people are turning to traditional medicine. However, there is a risk of misuse and ignorance. Dosu advises consulting qualified traditional practitioners rather than unregistered or fake herbal doctors, as misuse could harm the liver. “We don’t treat anybody without asking them to run test first. From the test, we can diagnose their condition and then prescribe the specific dosage of what they should do.”
The Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Council Bill in Nigeria was recently passed to regulate and formalize alternative and traditional medicine practices. This will ensure that only certified practitioners provide these services, aiming to protect public health.
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I completely agree
Traditional medicine has more benefits in my opinion.
This is actually a good read and I agree with using herbs as well in approaching health issues.
The only problem I see with most traditional doctors is the fact that they don’t have proper equipment for diagnosis. Often time they base they generalize symptoms of illness without knowing the actual cause.
But herbal medicines have and will always be great 😊