By Najib Sani
Bauchi
In view of the difficulties and problems faced by traditional doctors while treating their patients, the Chairman of the Union of National Association of Nigerian
Traditional Medical Practitioners (BUNANTMP), Bauchi chapter, Dr Gambo A. Bababa, appealed to the state government to build a special hospital for them, where sick people could be properly looked after by the herbalists.
Speaking to journalists yesterday in his office, Bababa, who stated that the traditional practitioners contributed immensely to the development of the health sector, however lamented that they were being neglected by the government and poorly paid by their customers.
He said it was high time government at all levels build hospitals for them and pay them salaries or allowances, claiming that patients whose problems could not be treated or cured by the modern doctors were being referred to the traditional doctors ‘because they have medicines for all diseases’.
He said: “For instance, if a sick person is brought to us, you will see that we do not have befitting place to host him. Some of us are even treating their patients in bush or under trees, because we do not have an organised centre where we can look after them, hence the need for the government to intervene in that regard.”
He said they have specialists who are good at treating various ailments and diseases, as could be found in any modern hospital.
He however vowed that the union would soon embark on a screening exercise to fish out the fake ones among them.
