Traditional doctors in Anambra State, operating under the umbrella of the Anambra State Traditional Doctors Movement, have expressed their readiness to partner with the state government to achieve shared objectives, particularly in regulating their members and ensuring sectoral integrity. The group made this known during a visit to the Anambra State House of Assembly in Awka on Thursday.
The Chairman of the group, Innocent Okwundu, who led the delegation, stated that the recently enacted Anambra Homeland Security Law, which established the Agunechemba security outfit, has provided a framework for sanitizing the traditional medicine sector. He emphasized that the association is committed to ensuring the safety of genuine traditional medicine practitioners while assisting the government in identifying and addressing fraudulent actors within the industry.
Okwundu said, “We pledge to collaborate with the State Assembly to ensure that all grey areas are addressed and clarified to avoid unnecessary intimidation and rip-offs by some persons, especially in rural communities. We plead with the lawmakers to work towards giving us a law that would guarantee our independence and smooth operations. When this is done, it will also enable us to assist the government in identifying those who have bastardized the traditional practice through unacceptable means.”
He further assured the Assembly that members of the Anambra State Traditional Doctors Movement are committed to ethical practices and do not engage in illegal activities such as money rituals or other forms of quackery. “Our members are genuinely practicing without aiding or involving in Okeite or money rituals, which many quacks are involved in,” Okwundu added.
The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze, represented by Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, welcomed the group and reiterated that the new Anambra Security Law was designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. Ofodeme also disclosed that a bill is currently in the works to address some of the concerns raised by the traditional doctors and to further refine the regulatory framework for the sector.
“The new security law is for the safety of all, and we appreciate your willingness to collaborate with the government. Currently, there is already a bill in the making to address some of the grey areas in the new law as identified by your group,” Ofodeme stated.
The visit underscores the growing recognition of traditional medicine practitioners as key stakeholders in Anambra State’s development and security efforts. The proposed collaboration aims to foster a more regulated and ethical traditional medicine sector while enhancing the state’s overall security and well-being.
