BENIN CITY- The Edo State Government yesterday marked African Traditional Medicine Day, with the theme, “The Importance of African Traditional Medicine in our Society”.
Declaring open the event put together by Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who congratulated the board and all traditional medicine Practitioner in the State said that the role of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the State is very important and well recognised.
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie disclosed that the state government is willing to partner with any genuine persons or group of persons committed to the health of the people to move the health care delivery service forward.
Governor Oshiomhole advised members of the board to specialize in the treatment of one ai1men, rather than being jack of all trades.
He said that they will be more effective, if they specialized in one field of treatment, and enjoined them to package their herbs for scientific rectification so as to get the needed patronage.
In his address, the chairman, Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, Chief Prof. Thomas Omon Oleabhiele commended Governor Oshiomhole for the support to the board and traditional medicine practitioners in the state, saying, that the government continued to support the board has contributed in no small measure in bringing the Practitioners in the State together for their steady progress.
He disclosed that the State Governor, has put 14 Traditional Medicine Doctors on his payroll to take care of the roaming lunatics and destitutes in the State, noting that “this is a government that cares for the health and well being of its peop1e”.
Commending the Governor for his development strides in health, education and roads infrastructure, he restated their unalloyed loyalty and support to the present administration, while appealing to the Governor to empower them to take full possession of Obayantor Traditional Medicine farm which would be beneficial to the State if developed.
He called on all Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the State to register with the board and get the State license to practice, pointing out that it is safer to do so.
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri thanked the present administration for paying attention to Africa Traditional Medicine as well as the constitution of the State Traditional Medicine Board.
