The Conventional Herbalist Affiliation Ghana (THAG) has urged the federal government to spend money on conventional and natural drugs to assist cut back unemployment and enhance financial progress.
The affiliation believes that establishing analysis facilities and manufacturing amenities will allow practitioners to provide high-quality drugs, in the end easing the unemployment burden on the federal government.
Talking on the Twenty fifth-anniversary celebration and the official identify change from the Northern Sector Conventional Herbalists Affiliation to the Conventional Herbalist Affiliation Ghana, Nationwide President B.Okay. Asare emphasised the pressing want for presidency help within the sector.
He acknowledged that prioritizing conventional and natural drugs would strengthen the financial system and cut back the nation’s dependence on imported medication.
“It’s time for Ghana to emulate nations like China and India. That is the surest method to shield our folks from dangerous ailments that have been unknown to us simply 4 many years in the past,” he stated.
Asare additionally expressed concern over the widespread use of chemical substances in meals manufacturing, which he believes poses critical well being dangers.
He pressured the significance of pure herbs as a safer and simpler various.
“Leaves aren’t dangerous. Our forefathers relied on them and remained wholesome. However right this moment, we’re being informed that our herbs aren’t good as a result of they haven’t been authorized by the FDA. In the meantime, the chemical substances they’re approving are those harming us,” he lamented.
The affiliation has lengthy advocated for the promotion of natural drugs in Ghana, and Asare believes that with authorities backing, the sector can thrive.
“We need to promote natural drugs in Ghana as a result of we imagine it’s safer and simpler than orthodox drugs. We’d like the federal government’s help to assist us obtain our targets,” he acknowledged.
Highlighting the challenges going through the affiliation, Asare identified that the excessive value of registering natural merchandise with the Meals and Medicine Authority (FDA) stays a significant hurdle.
He defined that many practitioners lack the monetary capability to fulfill registration necessities, making it tough for them to function legally.
“Registration with the FDA is a significant problem for us. The method is expensive and time-consuming, and plenty of of our members can not afford it,” he famous.
“We’d like monetary help to function successfully. We depend on donations and membership charges, however these funds aren’t sufficient to help our actions,” he added.
Explaining the choice to vary the affiliation’s identify, Asare acknowledged that the transfer was essential to mirror the group’s nationwide attain. He famous that the earlier identify appeared that the affiliation was unique to the northern sector of Ghana, which restricted its recognition and acceptance.
“Once we went round registering folks, most thought the affiliation was just for Northerners. However we’re a nationwide affiliation, and we wish our identify to mirror that,” he stated.
Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, the Municipal Director of Well being for La Nkwantanang, reaffirmed the Ghana Well being Service’s (GHS) dedication to working with conventional herbalists to reinforce healthcare supply.
She acknowledged the numerous function conventional drugs performs within the lives of many Ghanaians and emphasised the necessity for collaboration between orthodox and various medical practitioners.
“We imagine that well being is a collaborative effort. It’s not nearly orthodox drugs as a result of a big proportion of our inhabitants seeks care from various medical suppliers,” she acknowledged.
Dr. Kutsoati additionally inspired natural practitioners to refer sufferers to hospitals when crucial to make sure they obtain well timed and efficient remedy.
The Conventional Herbalist Affiliation Ghana stays dedicated to advocating for elevated authorities help, monetary help, and coverage reforms to assist conventional and natural drugs thrive as a key contributor to Ghana’s healthcare and financial growth.