UN to Empower Thousands of Nigerian Traditional Healers
ABUJA, NIGERIA – In a groundbreaking initiative, the United Nations Federation of International Astro (UNFIA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to support 75,500 traditional healers across Nigeria, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine.
The program, announced during an empowerment event in Nigeria on Sunday, will provide crucial assistance and training to members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP). Beneficiaries, hailing from states such as Oyo and Kano, will receive grants to ensure sustainability and enhance their practices.
Prof. Olumuyiwa Babalola, UNFIA’s Africa coordinator, emphasized the significant role traditional healers play in Nigerian society: “Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) form an integral part of the social, cultural, and religious fabric in most rural communities in Nigeria.”
The program will utilize a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop to empower TBAs, promoting awareness and acceptance of immunization. It will also focus on the production and packaging of herbal medicines, including providing access to incubator technology.
"The objectives of the ongoing program are to empower TBAs and access the use of a culturally adapted audio-visual workshop intervention to change their knowledge, attitude, and willingness to promote immunization uptake. It will also focus on the nitty-gritty of incubation processes, the production and packaging of herbal medicine,” Babalola said.
This initiative marks UNFIA’s continued commitment to supporting traditional medicine in Africa.
During a recent conference in Abeokuta, Nigeria, UNFIA pledged to establish the UNFIA African Traditional Medicine Practitioners Centre in the country. The organization also vowed to work collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to develop standards and guidelines for traditional medicinal practices.
“We will advocate for the inclusion of traditional medicine in public health programs, national insurance plans, and community health initiatives. [We] will work to protect the intellectual property rights of traditional practitioners and indigenous communities, ensuring that their knowledge is preserved and respected, not exploited. By advocating for strong policies, we can create a sustainable framework that allows traditional medicine to thrive.”
This move by the UNFIA highlights the growing recognition of the importance of traditional medicine practices and its potential for contributing to global healthcare solutions.
