… Charges Members On Work Ethics, Professionalism
In continuation of its Statewide advocacy and sensitisation programme to ensure professionalism and strict compliance with the rules and regulations guiding traditional medicine practice, the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) on Wednesday, sensitised practitioners in Eti-Osa Local Government on proper conduct and work ethics.
Speaking during the sensitisation held at Eti-Osa Local Government Secretariat, the Chairman, LSTMB, Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu said that the programme was scheduled to hold in all five divisions of the State to acquaint practitioners and stakeholders about the stipulated law and make them understand the work ethics of the profession.
Her words: “The traditional medicine practitioners need to be regularly sensitised so that they can understand the demands of the practice, new trends, expected work ethics and code of conduct, among others”.
She reiterated LSTMB’s zero-tolerance for quack practice, stressing that the periodic enlightenment sessions would afford practitioners to know the sensitive part of the job and also know the dos and don’ts of their practice.
Adefule-Ositelu also made it known that the agency has been able to curtail the activities of hawkers of traditional herbs and medicine, adding that the agency has started the training of over 200 identifie
d traditional medicine hawkers to dissuade them from engaging in unprofessional practices.
“We have told them to get an office where people will be able to consult them and also to take proper records of their patients. The Board is also monitoring their products by ensuring they meet the standards set by the agency”, she averred.
The Chairman said the agency has the power to withdraw the license of erring members who fail to work with the rules and regulations guiding the practice, assuring law-abiding traditional medicine practitioners of the support of the State Government towards the development of their profession and actualisation of their dreams.
While speaking on the number of registered and certified practitioners in the State, the Registrar, LSTMB, Mr. Olorunkemi Kadiku, affirmed that the agency has been able to register and license about 9,000 practitioners across Lagos State.
He advised unregistered members to approach the Agency to formalise their practice as soon as possible in order to be formally recognised by the State Government.
“Unregistered traditional medicine practitioners are usually referred to as quacks, and there is no room for quackery in this practice in Lagos State”, he said.
