The United Nations Federation of International ASTRO Africa (UNFIA) has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) to advance traditional medicine and foster international collaboration. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at UNFIA’s Abuja office by Professor Olumuyiwa Babalola and Dr. Shaba Maikudi, marks a pivotal step in promoting African medicinal practices on a global scale.
NANTMP, representing over 500,000 practitioners, stands to gain significant international recognition through this alliance. Professor Babalola highlighted the partnership’s potential to bridge traditional African medicine with global healthcare systems, stating, “This is a transformative step forward in ensuring that the rich knowledge of African medicine is shared and appreciated worldwide.” Dr. Maikudi echoed this sentiment, noting, “Our practitioners will now have access to opportunities for international recognition, learning, and collaboration.”
The collaboration aims to tackle longstanding challenges faced by traditional medicine practitioners, including limited formal recognition and restricted access to global platforms. A key initiative of the partnership is the development of a comprehensive digital database. This platform will connect NANTMP practitioners with a global audience, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
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Moreover, the partnership will establish exchange programs that allow traditional medicine practitioners to share their knowledge, learn from global experts, and enhance their skills. These programs are designed to increase the credibility and visibility of traditional medicine on an international stage.
In addition, a UNFIA National Conference is planned to further explore traditional medicine’s role in global healthcare discussions. This event is expected to attract experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from around the world, providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration.
This initiative encourages NANTMP members and stakeholders in traditional medicine to engage with the opportunities it presents, signalling a brighter future and expanding global influence for traditional medicine. Through this MoU, traditional African medicine is poised to gain the recognition and appreciation it deserves on a global scale.
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