The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has inaugurated a committee to drive the integration of traditional and orthodox medicine, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards improving healthcare delivery in Ibadanland and across Nigeria.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday at the committee room of the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Represented by the Director General of the Olubadan Palace, Basiru Olanrewaju, the monarch said the committee was established to ensure that traditional and orthodox medical practices complement one another for the benefit of the people.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Solomon Ayoade, Oba Ladoja expressed confidence in the effectiveness of traditional medicine, stressing that it has an important role to play in the country’s healthcare system when properly integrated with orthodox medicine.
“I believe in the efficacy of traditional medicine because I use it and it works. There is a need for the two to complement each other in the area of healthcare delivery,” the monarch said.
He noted that the integration of both medical systems would enhance healthcare services and provide better treatment options for residents of Ibadanland and Nigerians in general.
Oba Ladoja also charged members of the committee, drawn from various relevant institutions and professional bodies, to work diligently towards achieving the objective of the initiative.
Among those represented at the inauguration were the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Olubadan Palace, and other researchers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
The statement added that the committee would hold periodic meetings to develop strategies and ensure the successful implementation of its assignment.
The initiative is expected to encourage collaboration between practitioners of traditional and orthodox medicine to strengthen healthcare delivery and promote the safe and effective use of indigenous medical knowledge alongside modern medical practices.
