The Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (ITAM), under the auspices of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) held a workshop for traditional medicine practitioners on July 26 as part of its mission to optimize healthcare by facilitating the holistic integration of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) into the national healthcare system through education, training, research, product development, advocacy, community engagement and service delivery.
Vice Chancellor Professor John Gyapong, in his welcome address, expressed his satisfaction over the role UHAS is playing, with the establishment of ITAM, to train traditional practitioners to develop, advance and give the best healthcare to their clients in traditional and alternative medicine in the country. Professor Gyapong said, “We, as a university, are offering you the opportunity to be informed and to understand the best practices that occur in this day and age through this workshop.”
ITAM Director Professor Marcel T. Bayor, who chaired the workshop, emphasized the vision of ITAM as an “internationally recognized centre of excellence in the development and promotion of TCAM practices.” He advised participants that, in addition to observing COVID-19 protocols, they should be vigilant in recognising symptoms of the pandemic in their clients, and ensure that those clients are taken to medical facilities equipped to handle COVID-19 cases.
Speaking on the theme “Effective Product Development”, Guest Speaker Professor T.C. Fleischer, said, “Effective product development will stop marketing with claims that are far beyond the reality,” and stressed that, in an era of evidence-based practice, there is need to develop products that would provide effective care to patients, which requires collaborative research between scientists and practitioners.
Prof. Fleischer, who is the dean of the School of Pharmacy, added that although traditional medicine occupies a very important place in primary healthcare — especially in rural areas, due to its accessibility, availability and affordability — orthodox medicines have the clear advantage in terms of proven efficacy, quality and safety. He said these issues could be addressed by standardizing the mode of preparation and evaluating the products at all levels of the production process. He therefore challenged traditional practitioners to take advantage of the enabling environment being offered by UHAS through ITAM to promote traditional and alternative medicine in the country.
Mr. Gordon Akulugu, Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), said the issue of traditional medicine has been a challenge in terms of quality, efficacy and trade; but, with UHAS being part of the stakeholders with regards to research and testing of traditional products, the University will be of great help due to its proximity to traditional practitioners in the region, before the FDA does its certification and approves these products.
Mr. Norkplim Ahiatrogah, Head of Herbal Clinic, and Mrs. Joyce Dzifa Hofe, Principal Medical Herbalist, both from Ho Teaching Hospital, facilitated other presentations. Also in attendance were representatives from GHAFTRAM, TMPC and FDA.