No fewer than 10 unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners have been arrested and charged to court in Cross River State following a petition by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over alleged illegal activities in Calabar.
The arrests followed earlier complaints by the Cross River State branch of the NMA to Governor Bassey Otu, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Egbe Ayuk, and the Commissioner of Police, Rasheed Afegbua. The association had raised concerns about the activities of groups organising traditional medicine trade fairs at the headquarters of the Calabar Municipality Council without proper authorisation.
According to the NMA, the operators were selling uncertified herbal products without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), posing serious health risks to unsuspecting and vulnerable members of the public. The association warned that the vendors made unverified claims about the effectiveness of their products, which could worsen health challenges in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday in Calabar and signed by the state Chairman and Secretary of the NMA, Dr Ezoke Epoke and Dr Akanimo Ekeruke, the association praised Governor Otu for responding swiftly to the petition. They described the government’s action as a proactive move aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of residents.
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The statement commended the enforcement agencies for the arrest and prosecution of the unlicensed practitioners, noting that the step demonstrated the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and quality healthcare delivery in Cross River State.
The NMA added that the action aligns with its goal of promoting safe, effective and regulated medical practices. While reiterating the dangers posed by unlicensed medical practitioners, the association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government and relevant agencies to safeguard public health across the state.
