Accra Jan. 10 GNA - Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) were on Wednesday asked to assist in the process of integrating traditional medicine into mainstream health care delivery.

Alhaji Muhammed N. D. Jawula, Chief Director, Ministry of Health (MOH), at a sensitization workshop in Accra, said regulatory mechanisms and structures were being established to ensure proper registration and licensing of TMPs.

He noted that for an effective mainstreaming process, there was the need to ensure proper regulation and control of traditional medicine through effective licensing systems.

He said the workshop would sensitize TMPs on the requirements as indicated in various forms, as well as other requirements and necessary conditions including fees in relation to the regulatory process. Alhaji Jawula emphasized on the important role of traditional medicine in the health care delivery system and said the Government through the MOH was committed to working hand in hand with TMPs to ensure quality health care delivery.

"The World Health Organisation estimates that 80 per cent of the population living in rural areas in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for their healthcare needs," he said. He stated that the registration and licensing exercise would also help to flush out quacks and ensure quality service delivery. "Government's interventions would thus focus on building confidence in yourselves and the services you render, so as to achieve acceptable professional standards comparable to our colleagues in India and China as well as other Asian countries," he said.

Mr Francis K. Hlortsi-Akakpo, Registrar, Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), called on all TMPs to join the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine (GHAFTRAM), to ensure a unified recondition. He noted that GHAFTRAM was the only recognised Association through which the Government and other organizations could offer assistance and support and was the sole mouthpiece of TMPs.

He explained that "the Association is aimed at forging unity, eliminating quacks and assisting in collecting accurate data on the progress of traditional medicine in the country". Mr Hlortsi-Akakpo said it was the ultimate goal of GHAFTRAM to empower TMPs to provide certified quality service through safe, quality and effective traditional medicine products and licensed practising premises.

"To achieve this, registered TMPs will be required to participate regularly in education and training programmes to be endorsed by the TMPC Secretariat," he said.

He stated that the working premises of TMPs should be inspected and monitored over a given period before certificates and licences were issued. 10 Jan. 07