The Edo State Government through the State’s Traditional Medicine Board (TMB) in collaboration with the Ifesowapo Trado-Medical Herbal Practitioners (Agbo Sellers Association), has intensified efforts to clear the State of fake herbal products and unhealthy traditional medicine practices, in an attempt to safeguard the health of residents in the State.
At a meeting with members of the Ifesowapo Trado-Medical Practitioners in Benin City, the Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Board, High Chief (TDr.) Abudu Ugbesia Godwin JP, urged herbal medicine practitioners and sellers to focus strictly on their areas of specialization, rather than dabble into areas where they are not trained. He added that the Board aimed to set up a task force which would tackle the issue of fake medicinal drinks and unregistered herbal products in the State.
The Chairman charged members of the Association to expose fake or unregistered herbal products sellers, particularly those mixing hard drugs with herbal preparations, warning that such practices endanger lives and tarnish the image of bonafide practitioners in the State.
He further urged the group to conduct researches in order to ensure that their products are safe for consumption, revealing that the State Government had been working closely with the Police to check the activities of quacks and unlicensed practitioners.
Also, The President of the Association, Chief (TDr.) Mustapha Abere who assured the Board of their full cooperation, stated that invitations would be sent to unlicensed practitioners to regularize their operations.
He warned that anyone who failed to comply would face sanctions.
The president also appreciated the State Government under the leadership of Sen. Monday Okpebholo for creating an enabling environment for Traditional Medicine Practitioners to operate, commending the board’s chairman for his dedication to sanitizing the sector.
