At African Traditional Medicine Day in Kumba: Traditional doctors urged to unite for healthier society.

In an event held at the Kumba Health District on Saturday August 31, traditional healers from Meme Division convened to commemorate the African Day of Traditional Medicine. The gathering highlighted the vital role that traditional medicine plays in contemporary healthcare and underscored the need for collaboration between traditional and conventional medical practices.

The presence of health officials of the Kumba Health District and other partners.

Addressing the conclave, the president of Meme Traditional Healers Association, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, highlighted and emphasised the importance of integrating traditional medicine within the broader healthcare system.

He thanked his peers for their massive turnout and encouraged them to continue in unison for a better traditional medicine practice.

“We must uphold the integrity of our practices. We call on charlatans to step aside and stop misleading the public,” Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed said. 

This sentiment echoed throughout the event, as many traditional doctors voiced their concerns about the detrimental impact of unqualified practitioners on the reputation of legitimate healers. 

Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, further expressed the need to safeguard traditional healing practices. 

“I urge the government to establish an Institute of Herbology that will train our healers. This initiative is crucial for enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of traditional medicine across Africa,” he stated. 

The proposed Institute of Herbology, he said, aims at providing formal training and resources for traditional healers, ensuring their practices align with legal and ethical standards. This initiative seeks not only to elevate the status of traditional medicine, but also to foster trust within the community.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim further said the crisis in the North West and South West Regions have affected traditional doctors as some of them were either arrested by defence and security forces or abducted by separatist fighters. Some, he said, have even died in the process. 

The event underscored the importance of collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine, paving the way for a more integrated healthcare system in Cameroon. This partnership, the traditional doctors said, could significantly enhance the role of traditional medicine in African healthcare, offering patients a more comprehensive approach to their health and wellness.

Attendees of the event expressed optimism about the future of traditional medicine in Africa, emphasising the need to work together to improve healthcare outcomes for all.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3224 of Monday September 9, 2024