A MEMORANDA PRESENTED BY DR. BENJAMIN CHUKWUNONSO AJUFO (RMP INDIA) TITLED THE NEED TO INTEGRATE TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE INTO THE BILL FOR A LAW TO ESTABLISH THE DELTA STATE CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH COMMISSION, THE GOVERNING BOARD AND FOR CONNECTED PURPOSES ON THE OCCASION OF THE ONE DAY PUBLIC HEARING ON 24TH AUGUST, 2015 AT THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ASABA DELTA STATE.

 

CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

HON. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

LADIES AND GENTLE MEN

ALL PROTOCOLS DUELY OBSERVERD

 

PREAMBLE/INTRODUCTION

In order to meet the Universal Health Coverage a Contributory Health Scheme is indeed necessary where an integrative and a holistic approach are needed to meet the aims and objective of the scheme. The World Health Organization informs us that about 80% of Africans in the rural and urban areas patronizes Traditional, Alternative and other Ethnomedical Systems. Many countries of the world have come to appreciate the inherent benefits of integrating Traditional, Alternative and other Ethnomedical Systems which are evidence based into their National Healthcare Delivery System. Since the WHO Assembly of the Alma Atta declaration in 1978, the WHO Traditional Medicine strategy 2002 – 2005, the WHO Traditional Medicine strategy 2004 – 2007, WHO Beijing Declaration of 2008 and the WHO Traditional Medicine strategy of 2014-2023, the World Health Organization has encouraged and supported the need to incorporate Traditional, Alternative and other Ethnomedical Systems into the various healthcare policy and legislation of the Countries of member State. Now that Delta State is trying to produce a Scheme to better the life of the residents of the State, it is indeed essential and trite that Traditional, Alternative, Complementary ,  Ethnomedical Healthcare Systems and her Practitioners should be part of the Contributory Health Scheme for they are recognized by law as part of the Healthcare Service Providers. 

   

It is on this note that I sincerely call on the Honourable members of the House to look into these sections of the bill. 1 Section 2 subsection 2C Add one representative each of Traditional & Alternative Medicine Practitioners after VII

 

REASONS

I. Traditional medicine is recognized by law in Nigeria. In Delta State, the Delta State Traditional Medicine Board established by the law made by the Delta State House of Assembly is empowered to regulate Traditional Medicine in Delta state and the activities of her Practitioners and Practice as such her members should be part of the Contributory Health Scheme.

II. The Nigerian Traditional Medicine Strategic plan 2008 published by the Ministry of Health recognizes Traditional Medicine as part of the Healthcare System.

III. The Nigerian National Health Act (2014) recognizes Traditional and Alternative Medicines as part of the Healthcare Delivery System.

IV. Furthermore, in section 17 subsection 6 of THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL PRACTITIONERS ACT CAP M8 2004, the act recognizes indigenous therapeutic Medical System. It states thus, “where any person is acknowledged by the members generally of the community to which he belongs as having been trained in the system of that therapeutic medicine traditionally in use in that community, nothing in paragraph (A) section 1 or paragraph (A) of section (2) of this section shall be construed as making it an offence for that person to practice or to hold himself out to practice that system.”

V. THE MEDICIAL AND DENTAL PRACTICTIONERS ACT: CAP M8 2004 in section 1 subsection 2d recognizes Alternative Medicines as a Medical System. Alternative Medical system is recognized by law as part of the Health care Delivery System. So it should be part of the Contributory Health Scheme.

 

SECTION 6 (IX)

To read as follows: Negotiated fees and charges payable for medical dental, pharmaceutical, traditional, alternative, ethnomedical services and all other services provided under the scheme.

 

REASONS:

The practice of Traditional, Alternative, Complementary and other Ethnomedical Systems is a global phenomenon that is generally accepted. And is part of the Healthcare Service Delivery System of many countries.

 

TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (TAM):

LEGISLATION AND NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

Globally integration of Traditional and Alternative Medical System into the National Health Insurance Scheme is a positive accepted trend in many countries of the world. Many member States of the World Health Organization have insurance coverage for Traditional and Alternative Medicine and Conventional medicine which are practiced alongside each other at every level of the healthcare services. Public and Private insurance cover Traditional Chinese Medicine and Conventional Medicine. In china, there are about 440,700 healthcare institution providing TM services, with 520,600 patients’ beds, including all levels of TM hospitals and general hospitals, and health stations in urban and rural areas. About 90% of General Hospitals includes a TM department and provide TM services for both out patients and in patients. TM medical institutions are governed by the same national legislation on medical institution as conventional medical institution.TM practitioners are allowed to practice in both public and private clinics and hospitals. Government and private insurance fully cover TM Tibetan, Mongoliap, Uygar, and Dai Traditional Medicine. Public or patients are free to choose TM or conventional medicine for healthcare services, or their doctor can provide advice on which therapies may be better suited to their health problems. (WHO TRADITIONAL MEDICINE STRATEGY 2014 – 2023)

     

In the Republic of korea, Traditional Medicine Doctors can provide Korean Traditional Medicine in both public and private hospitals and clinics. A National Medical Insurance Programme has covered Korean TM services since 1987 and currently private insurance also cover TM services. In Vietnam, Traditional Medicine Practitioners are able to practice on both public and private hospitals and clinics and government insurance fully covers Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and TM treatment .In Switzerland, there is integration of Traditional and Complementary Medical System in her health care delivery system. 

        

In France health insurance covers Acupunctures and Homeopathy, both of which are reimbursed by the social security when performed or prescribed by a doctor. Since 1997, the Socialist Mutual Insurance of Tournai-ATH in Belgium reimburses specific Complementary / Alternative treatment such as Homeopathic remedies. In Germany public and private insurance provides the same kind of coverage for some Complementary / Alternative treatment. Even in United States of America, UK and Japan, there is health insurance for Traditional and Alternative Medical Services. Ghana and South Africa have laws integrating Traditional and Alternative Medicine into her National Healthcare System. The WHO employs Physicians of Traditional & Alternative Medicine as Medical Officers.

 

INTERPRETATION

Healthcare Providers should also be interpreted to include Traditional & Alternative Medical Clinics and Hospitals.

 

CAPITATION:

Capitation should also be paid to Traditional Healthcare Practitioners/Providers for the job they do.

 

FEE FOR SERVICES:

The practitioners of Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine should be paid fee for services too.

 

CONCLUSION:

At the 65th World Health Organization Assembly the WHO Director General Stated “Universal Health Coverage is the best way to cement the gains made during the previous decade. It is the intimate expression of fairness. This is the anchor for the work Of WHO as we (WHO) move forward.” In the Spirit to achieve Universal Health Coverage Traditional and Alternative Medical System is essentially needed to be integrated into the mainstream Healthcare Delivery System of Member States. As Delta State Government is making policy/legislation to advance health services in the State, there is an urgent need that Traditional and Alternative Medical System is integrated into   all Health Schemes in Delta State.

 

REFERENCES:

1. Nigerian National Health Act (2014) On Traditional & Alternative Medicine.

2. Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M8 2004 section 1 subsection 2d, section 17, subsection 6.

3. WHO Alma Ata Declaration Document 1978

4. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy  2002 – 2005

5. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2004 – 2007

6. WHO 61st World Health Assembly Beijing Declaration Document 2008.

7. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014 – 2023

 

Thanks 

SIGNED:

Dr. Benjamin Chukwunonso Ajufo (AMLSCN,DHM,RMP India)

08035050823