From Moshood Karim
The newly appointed Chairman of the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board, High Chief Abudu Ugbesia JP, has pledged to restructure and regulate traditional medicine practice in the State. In an exclusive interview with Uptown Press Nigeria, he vowed to eliminate quackery, uphold ethical standards, and promote the benefits of traditional medicine.
High Chief Ugbesia emphasised that traditional medicine is a natural and knowledge-driven practice that requires expertise to be effective. “I have come to restructure traditional medicine practice in the State. I want people to know there is power in nature—not in quacks or fake practitioners,” he asserted.
Addressing the prevalence of malpractice in the sector, he noted that unethical practices are not exclusive to traditional medicine, as they also occur in modern medical fields. He condemned harmful activities carried out under the guise of traditional healing, including collaborations between fraudulent practitioners and religious figures, which sometimes result in fatalities.
“All because they need money, some so-called traditional doctors collaborate with pastors and engage in harmful acts like ritual killings. Is that how to practise traditional medicine? No. Life is precious. The day you take a life, yours is at stake,” he warned.
Dismissing claims that traditional medicine lacks safety and efficacy, Chief Ugbesia stated that such assertions are attempts to discredit indigenous healthcare systems. He argued that conventional medical practitioners often refuse to acknowledge the benefits of traditional medicine.
“There are things modern doctors can do that traditional healers cannot, and vice versa. Yet, even when a patient is at death’s door, hospitals retain them just to make money. I speak from experience—I have been practising since birth, inheriting this knowledge from my father, and no one has ever regretted coming to me for treatment,” he said.
To eliminate quackery and ensure professionalism, the Edo State Traditional Medicine Board plans to register and profile all practitioners across the State. High Chief Ugbesia disclosed that registration forms would be made available across the three senatorial districts for those willing to undergo training and accreditation.
“We are going to take statistics of all practitioners in Edo State, including herbal medicine (‘Agbo’) sellers and traditional healing centres. This will help us regulate the sector properly,” he explained.
As part of efforts to institutionalise traditional medicine in the State, the Board is engaging higher institutions, including polytechnics and universities, to incorporate traditional medicine studies into their curriculum. He also highlighted plans to leverage technology and conduct research to enhance the sector.
“We can follow China’s example, where traditional medicine has been transformed into tablets and capsules. They have reformed their system, and their people live longer because of it. We must modernise our practices while staying true to our roots,” he stated.
In a major step towards sustainability, the Board has submitted a proposal to Governor Monday Okpebholo for the allocation of ten acres of land to establish a “Botanical Garden”. The garden will serve as a research hub and cultivation centre for medicinal plants, ensuring a steady supply of herbs for traditional medicine practitioners.
Chief Ugbesia praised Governor Monday Okpebholo’s achievements within his first 100 days in office, describing them as unprecedented in Edo State’s history. He commended the governor for key initiatives, including: Forming a functional cabinet within 100 days, commencing the construction of a flyover, recruiting new teachers and improving the education sector, reconstructing 100 schools, converting State cleaners into permanent staff, and expanding road construction projects.
With these strategic plans, Edo State is set for a revolution in traditional medicine, as Chief Ugbesia leads efforts to standardise, regulate, and modernise the practice. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring only trained and ethical practitioners operate in the State, making traditional medicine a safe, reliable, and widely accepted alternative healthcare system.
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