LASG DECRIES RATE OF UNLAWFUL PRACTICES AMONG TRADITIONAL MEDICINE  

… GIVES SEPTEMBER DEADLINE FOR PRACTITIONERS TO REGISTER 

… ACTIVATES INSPECTORATE UNIT FOR MONITORING, COMPLIANCE 

Lagos State Government through the State’s Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) has observed with dismay, the rate of flagrant disregard to the prevailing laws guiding the practice of traditional medicine in the State among some illegal operators who are bent on bringing the reputation of traditional medicine practice to disrepute.

The Registrar of LSTMB, Mr. Babatunde Adele said that the Board had concluded plans to activate its Inspectorate Unit as enunciated in part 9 of the Health Sector Reform Law (HSRL) 2006 to checkmate various excesses among some of the practitioners.  

He called on all Traditional, Complementary & Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Practitioners in the State, including Product manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers to regularize their practice and register their premises with the Agency on or before the end of September 2023. 

The Registrar recalled that the National Council on Health at its 62nd meeting held in 2019 resolved that All 36 States of the Federation and FCT should establish Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Departments/Boards within their respective domain to enhance coordination, regulation and control of TCAM practice and its products in Nigeria.

Adele implored traditional medicine practitioners to approach Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board at its Head Office, 21 Boyle Street in Onikan, Lagos to regularize their establishments and make their existence known to the State Government.

He warned that failure to comply with the above directive might necessitate appropriate sanctions which may include sealing of contravening premises. 

He noted that LSTMB is empowered by law to accredit and regulate traditional medicine Practitioners/Premises with a view to protecting the population from quackery, fraud and incompetence in the sector.  

It should be noted that the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), was established in 1980 to oversee the development, promotion, monitoring regulation and integration of Traditional Medicine Practice into the Healthcare System as provided in the Healthcare reform Law of 2006.