In a recent operation aimed at enforcing compliance with traditional medicine practice regulations, the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) has closed down two traditional birth attendant facilities. The move is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to combat non-compliance with the established code of conduct for traditional medicine practitioners in the state.
According to an official statement on the government’s website, the facilities, located at No. 58, Willoughby Street, Ebute-Metta, and 12, Ogunnaike Street, Agege, were sealed during the operation. Mrs. Adams Aisha, leading the LSTMB’s inspectorate team, emphasized that the closure was necessary to safeguard public health and safety within the state.
During the enforcement operation, Mrs. Adams Aisha highlighted the collaborative efforts with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps to ensure a prompt and effective response to protect the well-being of residents. She underscored the board’s commitment to shielding the public from unscrupulous traditional medicine practitioners and promoting responsible use through continuous enforcement and ongoing initiatives.
Emphasizing the board’s dedication to establishing a structured and respected traditional medicine practice, Adams encouraged practitioners and the public to collaborate in upholding the highest standards while prioritizing the well-being of patients seeking treatments.
In a related development, the Lagos government had previously announced its intention to impose sanctions on traditional medical practitioners operating in the state who fail to register with the traditional medicine board. Babatunde Adele, the Registrar of LSTMB, conveyed this information in a statement on January 21. The government set a deadline for all traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine practitioners to regularize their registration by visiting the agency’s head office on or before Friday, February 6, 2024. This registration order aims to address the growing concern of quackery within the traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine field, with the goal of ensuring that practices are documented, modernized, and protected.