LSTMB Seals Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Premises
The Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) has begun sealing up the premises of Traditional Medicine Practitioners who are not complying with state regulations. Board members began the seal-up with traditional birth attendants, faith-based healers, and bonesetters.
Seven practitioners were affected by the exercise, which was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, in Mushin, Somolu and Bariga.
During the exercise, Mr. Olorunkemi Olawale Kadiku the Registrar of the Board, had explained that the exercise was long overdue following the expiration deadline that was in March which was given to the practitioners earlier so that they could register with the State Government.
Mr. Kadiku said that the exercise had been in line with the directive of the National Council of Health. He stated the body was not being taken seriously by the affected persons and added that the affected practitioners had, previously, already been issued abatement notices.
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Mr. Kadiku also added that the practitioners whose premises were sealed-up, had been operating their facilities without the approval and license to practice within the State, although the State Government had pleaded to them several times.
According to Mr. Kadiku, “so far they have Birth Attendant facilities”, Faith-Based Healers under which Pentecostal Churches operate will also have to register. He added that all practices relating to traditional medicine, birth attendants, faith-based healing, bone setting and the like, have to be done within the ambience of the law of the State, as is recommended by the National Body on Health.
In another venue in Mushin, the Registrar assured that practitioners never again would be permitted to practice traditional medicine in an unsanitary or unsanitary environment, testing the patience and magnanimity of government even as they violate the law. He also assured the agency would do everything within its power to sanitize the practice of tradition medicine in the State.
In spite of a series of warnings and abatement notices, one of the birth attendants who refused to register was handed over to the police at the Nigeria Police, Area D Command, Mushin, for prosecution, so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
