Herbalists advised to help weed out quacks ones

Sekondi, Sept.12, GNA- Mr Seth Ecrement, Western Regional Director of the Environmental Health Department has reminded the people that, it is unlawful for anyone to manufacture, sell or use traditional medicines without license.

He said the proliferation of traditional herbal preparations nationwide could be checked if those who patronised the drugs and other stakeholders demanded authorisation from herbalists.

Mr Ecrement was interacting with executives of the Ghana National Association of Traditional Physic Healers at Sekondi last Thursday. He said "many quack herbalists" had been selling several varieties of drugs and herbal preparations without approved license neither do they pay any tax or levies to any district assembly.

He therefore appealed to members of the various traditional healers associations to liase with the district assemblies to eradicate the quacks.

Mr Moses Lartey, an Environmental Health Officer said any private concern engaged in the manufacture of drugs, food and sachet water in unhygienic environment, must be closed down.

He said people engaged in food preparation and have not undergone medical examination could pass on communicable diseases to others. Mr Lartey cautioned against the use of dirty and contaminated water for the preparation of drugs adding "such practices makes the drugs less potent".

Mr Augustus Barnes, Western Regional Chairman of the Association said the activities of quacks were a major problem for the association. He said the association was doing its best to reverse the situation. Professor Yogi Nicho Nyarko-Mensah, a representative of the Physic Healers Association said the use of derogatory remarks by some orthodox medical practitioners, was having a negative effect on traditional medicine.

He said traditional healers use both spiritual and physical means to heal the sick, and that they should not be condemned.