The Dynamics and Changing Structure of Traditional Healing System in Nigeria (original) (raw)
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Traditional medicine practices among the Yoruba people of Nigeria: a historical perspective
Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2014
Often times, people ask questions about the origin and development of traditional medicine among the Yoruba people. This paper attempts to unravel the historical development of Yoruba traditional medicine. Furthermore, the paper narrated the method of health care, diagnosis, treatment and specialization among the TMPs in the past centuries. The role of religious belief in traditional medicine was also explained, as well as magical and mystic practices in traditional medicine. While describing the introduction of orthodox medicine into Nigeria the paper highlighted the current patterns of modernization of traditional medicine and products, and ends with a note of the key areas that require Government's attention in improving traditional medicine in Nigeria.
Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development, vol. 4 No.2, 2021,, 2021
Traditional Medicine has been an aged long mode of treatment. It has been in existence even before the domination of orthodox medicine particularly in Africa. Almost everybody was highly dependent on it for survival when it comes to health issue. But gradually, orthodox medicine became the order of the day putting the traditional medicine by the side. Today, the reverse is becoming the case as there are many health challenges facing orthodox medicine. Medical doctors are too few to attend to the massive population that needs them. Many orthodox medicines are too expensive and do not get to the reach of the common man. Diseases are becoming resistant to orthodox medicine. Some ailments that defy orthodox medicine such as amputations/bone settings, poison, snake bite, etc can be comfortably taking care of by the traditional medicine. However, this paper aims at bringing out its effectiveness and how to protect it from the new healthcare directives. It claims also that traditional medicine is not just an alternative mode of treatment to orthodox medicine but that it is currently a better safeguard for the progression of healthcare system in Africa since the usefulness of it has made some orthodox manufacturers to append the word "herbal" to their products due to its potency and effectiveness. Scientists are turning to traditional medicine by studying its drugs and modifying them to look modern. Since traditional medicine can no longer be avoided, this paper concludes that sooner or later, traditional medicine will not only become a better safeguard for the progression of healthcare claim but will remain the only saving grace that can save humanity from dying out.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICES IN NIGERIA: A SWOT ANALYSIS
IAEME PUBLICATION, 2019
The paper presents SWOT analysis of Traditional Medicine (TM) in Nigeria using various results in scientific research and author's critical opinion on the past, present and future of this important sector of agriculture. The paper is based on the study of many published articles closely connected with the topic. The results emphasized that Nigeria has a long history and culture of TM, conducive climate for the growing of herbs and other materials related to it. Also, TM is available, accessible, acceptable, affordable, widely used, and perceived as effective by the people with virtually no side effects. The weaknesses are: the unverifiable and inexplicable aspects of occultic/witchcraft practices; the practitioners lack the skill for correct diagnosis of serious disorders, inadequate coordination of practitioners activities giving room to dubious and unscrupulous elements. Also, opportunities that exists for TMP are: existence of a virile Herbs and Leaves Traditional Medicines Practitioners' Association of Nigeria, large number of population of TM practitioners with great spread over all ethnic groups coupled with a large Nigerian population of about 170million consumers. The threats: the activities and practices of charlatans, the importation of higher quality TM products and the reality of some herbs are going into extinction. It is concluded that TM occupies a pivotal position in the Nigerian rural health service delivery system which cannot be neglected. Therefore, there is the need to create an enabling environment for the development of traditional medicine and its eventual integration into the health care delivery system of the country
Traditional and Orthodox Medical Systems in Nigeria: The Imperative of a Synthesis
American Journal of Health Research, 2014
Every society makes provisions for health care delivery systems for its members. This is with a view to providing medical and related services for the maintenance of good health, particularly through the prevention and treatment of diseases. This is in recognition of the pervasive importance of good health upon which life is contigent. These societies thus developed indigeneous medical systems through interactions with their environment wherein the health needs of the people were met. The aftermath of colonisation in Nigeria has however presented two health care systems-traditional and orthodox-which seem to work at cross purposes in meeting the health needs of the people. While orthodox practice enjoys official recognition, traditional practice is derided by the authorities. Yet a significant proportion of the population (about 70 per cent) still patronise the traditional health practitioners. It is obvious that the two forms of medical practice have come to stay and it is logical therefore to explore the possibility of both being available to the people for improved health care delivery system for the people. This paper, through literature reviews, examines the structures and features of both medical systems in Nigeria with a view to finding a convergence that will be to the advantage of the populace.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Edo State, Nigeria
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 2021
The people of Edo State of Nigeria have a long history of dependence on traditional medicine as a primary source and first line of action for their healthcare needs. Efforts have been made by various national and subnational governments towards integrating the TM practice for the benefit of its citizens with little progress. The slow progress is partly because of dearth in the knowledge, attitude and practice of the practitioners. A descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at highlighting the demography, attitude and approach as well as the exposing the key gaps in the practice and expectation of the practitioners from the different stakeholders, was carried out. The survey study was conducted using a standardized structured questionnaire. The outcome showed that 90% of practitioners were within the age bracket of 25 and 65 years, and majority (66%) were of male gender and, about 94% and 78% were literate and self-employed, respectively. About 30% have being in practice for less than...
Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Introduction: The knowledge, attitude, and practice of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) are key to achieving effective and sustainable integration of all forms of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and health services towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In this study, the operational and psychological readiness of Traditional Medicine Practitioners towards integration with the conventional health system was examined by critically considering the various factors central to traditional medicine integration as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Traditional Medicine strategy (2014–2023). Methods: Paper based questionnaires were administered to Traditional medicine practitioners from three geo-political zones in Nigeria along with Key Informant Interviews. Qualitative – thematic and content analysis using both iterative and interpretative processes, and quantitative –descriptive and inferential analysis were done using statistical pac...
One central objective of history is to preserve knowledge especially where such knowledge is endangered. Even as a historian is not to sound evangelical, his views could and do change views and salvage threatened knowledge systems. In Igboland, the knowledge of traditional medicine is seriously threatened by the spate of condemnation it attracts from those who want to become more Catholic than the Pope. The spate of condemnation of African traditional medical practices are alarming and at best disturbing. This is because, the same people who would stop at nothing to buy Chinese made herbal drugs would condemn in its totality drugs made by local medical practitioners here in Nigeria. Rather than take the pains to study and understand the art involved in the profession and harness its potentials and more importantly preserve the knowledge therein, many obstacles are placed on the way of the traditional medicine men on account that they are "diabolic", their products " unhygienic" and unsafe to drink or a nuisance to human health. The present writers hold a contrary view as traditional medicine is a portent force in inter-group relations and very effective where orthodox medicine has failed. How true the latter statement is to be demonstrated in how two brands of traditional medicine-Odiette and Akpaballa have helped in cementing relationships between the Igbo and Igala especially as it concerns their health and security. Lessons from the experience of these groups would go a long way in fostering peace in the nation especially now that there are several security threats to its citizens.
THE POTENCY OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY OF ILE-IFE
ABSTRACT Existing studies revealed that Traditional Medicine, which had been the major means of treating ailments in Yoruba land from the time immemorial, had suffered a lot of setbacks as a result of the current scientific development. Besides, the derogatory names given to this therapy by the educated people and the growth of hospitals, dispensaries, clinics and maternity centres had made the traditional medicine to suffer a declining patronage. Consequently, the patronage of this medicine is gradually becoming the affairs of the poor masses who could not afford the orthodox hospital bills. It is against this background that the study aimed at evaluating the potency of traditional medicine and examine its relevance to the contemporary society especially in the curing of seemingly incurable diseases. The choice of Ile-Ife as a case study was informed by the fact that Ile-Ife is the acclaimed ancestral home of the Yoruba people, it therefore represented other Yoruba communities. In order to achieve this aim, primary and secondary sources were employed in eliciting information for this work. They were manifested in the fieldwork involving in-depth interview, group discussion and observation. Interviews were conducted with various categories of people in the town. The people include: Artisans, Christians, Muslims, patients who had experience traditional healing and the herbalists themselves. About 75% of the people interviewed were of the opinion that traditional medicine is potent and still relevant to the contemporary society. The bulk of the secondary data were obtained through the use of libraries and internet materials. Through fieldwork research survey, the efficacy and potency of African traditional medicine was revealed on aliments such as hypertension, infertility, stroke and cancer which can only be managed by orthodox medicine. More importantly, it was gathered through the in-depth interview that collaborative efforts on the part of government, educated elites, etc are necessary to revive African traditional medicine. This study recommended that; to enjoy full benefit of traditional medicine, both indigenous and modern medical practitioners must respect their areas of strength and accept their areas of weaknesses. The work therefore concluded on the note that African Traditional Medicine should be recognized as one of the major solutions to health challenges. It should not be a ‘rejection’ of modernity and we should not neglect African Indigenous Medicine because orthodox Medicine is now available. Keywords: Potency, Traditional, Medicine, Orthodox, Treatment
Traditional Medicine in Contextual African Society: On-Going Challenges
Open Access Journal of Oncology and Medicine
The role of traditional medicine in contextual African society cannot be overemphasized. Due to the less financial implication on the part of patients(s) patronizing the medicine to treat a particular ailment. In recent time, attention by government and relevant stakeholders in the health sectors in African tend to shift their compendium effort to improve modern health medicine, this has yielded little effort. In light of this a greater percentage of African population still resorts to traditional medicine due to the less financial implication and accessibility. Over the years, traditional African medicine seems to face some ongoing challenges. It is due to these recurring mitigating challenges that this paper intend to explore and map-out modalities to surmount the challenges. The challenges farfetched by the researcher were lack of usage of information communication technology (ICT), lack of adequate funding, lack of sufficient awareness, religion/cultural interference, unethical practices, deforestation of plant medicine. Similarly, way forwards out the challenges were map-out. It was concluded that, the possible solutions as pointed-out by the researcher if given prior attention will help to remedy the bedeviling challenges facing traditional medicine.