Traditional Healers attend workshop in Takoradi

Takoradi, Jan. 5, GNA - Togbega Dabra the VI, President of Prometra Ghana, a non-governmental organisation committed to the promotion of traditional medicine, on Wednesday called on traditional healers to send their medicines to the country's research institutions for analysis. He made the call when opening a one-day workshop for 40 selected traditional healers from the Western and Central Regions in Takoradi. The workshop, organised by Prometra Ghana, supported by Prometra International and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme, was under the theme: "Promoting the Use of Traditional Medicine in the National Health Care Systems of Africa".

Togbega Dabra, who is the Paramount Chief of Logba Traditional Area, said when traditional medicines are analysed by research centres, it would enable the country's health authorities to include certified herbal medicines on the essential drug list.

He said this would make it possible for certified herbal medicines to be included in the list of medicines to be considered for the National Health Insurance Scheme.

He said about 80 percent of Africa's population consult traditional healers for their health needs because the healers are available in all communities and their medicines are cheaper.

Topics treated at the workshop included the treatment of diarrhoea, reproductive health, sexual transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.