BY AWELE OGBOGU
The noose appears to be tightening for trado-medical practitioners in Delta State, following the crackdown on their activities in recent times.
During a visit to the Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, in Asaba, it was no longer the usual sleepy atmosphere, but activities have intensified, as many traditional medicine practitioners now throng the office in a bid to renew their licenses and obtain identification cards.
Although, the Chairman of Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, Chief (Dr.) Ogbogodorm Ogumu, declined an interview, it was learned that a taskforce has swung into action to fish out native doctors operating without updated documentation, such as operational licenses and identification cards.
Speaking to The Pointer at the secretariat, a native doctor based in Asaba, who did not want his name in print, said he was not aware that they were required to renew their licenses annually. Another trado-medical practitioner, who spoke, said he was told to bring his passport photographs and necessary documents as he had no prior documentation with the Board.
Recall that the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge (SAN), had banned the activities of Eze-Nwanyis (female native doctors/goddesses) and other traditional practitioners due to their alleged involvement in the rising crime wave in Asaba and its environs.
This decision followed reports linking the murder of an Anambra State lawmaker whose body was discovered on the Niger Bridge, to native doctors and a shrine in Asaba.
The monarch stated that they would require clearance from the Otuhas, the governing legislative body of Asaba, before being allowed to operate.
Also, the Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Hon. Innocent Esenwezie has set up a taskforce to reign in any native doctor who fails to come forward for registration, as directed by the Obuzor of Ibusa.
Investigation revealed that the Delta State Traditional Medicine Board, the body charged with regulating their activities, seemed to have awoken to its responsibilities in recent times, apparently due to the crackdown on the traditional medicine practitioners by the monarchs.
