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Head of the Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) unit in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tarelah Idowu Prefa has praised the wife of Bayelsa State governor, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Diri, for her tireless advocacy efforts in promoting TCAM practices.
She said that the First Lady’s efforts have helped raise awareness about the importance of TCAM and its potential benefits for public health.
Speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa on Thursday, Dr. Prefa, who also doubles as the pioneer State Desk Officer of TCAM, emphasized the urgent need to address the significant knowledge gap surrounding traditional, complementary and alternative medicine options at the grassroots
“This knowledge gap has resulted in many people being unaware of the benefits and availability of these alternative therapies, leading to unnecessary losses of life. To bridge the knowledge gap, it’s essential to promote education and awareness about traditional complementary and alternative medicine options at the grassroots.
“This can be achieved through workshops, seminars, and public outreach programs that highlight the benefits and risks of these therapies,” Dr. Prefa noted.
She reiterated that Dr. Mrs. Diri’s efforts in promoting Traditional Complimentary Alternative Medicine (TCAM) practices and endorsement highlight the importance of advocacy and support from influential figures in promoting TCAM in the state
Dr. Prefa lamented that despite being more affordable, traditional complementary and alternative therapies remain underutilized, resulting in unnecessary losses of life, saying that despite some progress being made at national level, challenges persist, including standardization, limited scientific evidence, stigma, funding constraints, and barriers to accessing services.
“This is largely due to a significant knowledge gap about alternative medicine options. It’s imperative that we bridge this information divide, promoting awareness and education about the benefits and availability of traditional complementary and alternative therapies.
“As we embark on this journey, let’s start by illuminating the immense economic empowerment opportunities that Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) has to offer. Together, we can unlock its full potential, foster innovative growth, and cultivate sustainable development that benefits our communities,” Dr. Prefa said.
Dr. Prefa noted that the development of traditional complementary alternative medicine (TCAM) practices in rural-urban settings can have significant socio-economic effects on individuals, communities, and the broader economy.
It will be recalled that Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Department came into being following the approval by the Head of Service of the Federation in a letter, OHCSF/MSO/72/IV/132 dated 4th April, 2018. While activities of the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Department at the Federal Ministry of Health commenced fully in July 2018.
The vision of the new department was to ensure that the practice of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Nigeria become respected modes of treatment, preserving our cultural heritage with respectable practitioners and providers, delivering quality healthcare to all Nigerians, and benefiting from their economic potentials.
The establishment of a situation whereby conventional and Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioners legally and freely render their services in parallel but in clear understanding of each other and in close collaboration at all levels of healthcare delivery system and providing the chance for the patience to make an informed choice.
