Featured

Saturday, 6 June 2015

HERBAL MEDICINE CAN EARN GHANA FOREIGN EXCHANGE—DR. MOHAMMED AGBEVE

The Proprietor and Senior Doctor of Agbeve Herbal Hospital, Alhaji Mohammed Agbeve has indicated that with government support, the country can make huge sums of money from exportation of Herbal Medicine.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this reporter, the ace Herbal Medicine Practitioner called on government to support the production of herbal medicine in the country to help the country export excess abroad.

According to him, the world is gradually coming to terms with the efficacy of herbal medicine in the healing process and green countries with forests filled with variety of trees and plants will become the main source of herbal medicine.

He indicated that a country like China is already making strides in this area and are already making billions of dollars in the exportation of medicines made directly from herbs.

He revealed that Ghana has the capacity to even exceed China given the country has more variety of plants than the Asian country.

He however added that the inadequate investment in the sector by government and the little recognition given to Herbal Hospital isn’t helping raising the sector to where it ought to.

According to him, government has to give Herbal Hospital same recognition given to Hospitals that provide health care the orthodox way.



“I do not understand why at this stage, despite the major strides Herbal Medicine has made over the years, Herbal Hospital are not allowed to provide health care through the National Health Insurance Scheme”

“Many people who are unable to find healing orthodoxly and resort to herbs through Herbal Hospitals like mine are required to pay cash before treatment because of the refusal of the Scheme to include Herbal Hospitals on the program”

He also revealed that despite the craze for orthodox medicines in Ghana, most whites and Ghanaians abroad who have come to terms with the quality of health given by herbs and the fact that it is natural and without side effect are gradually increasing and it remains just a matter of time that herbal medicine takes over.

“I am therefore calling on government to prepare for the herbal revolution that is going to hit the world so that we have the luxury of being ahead of the completion”

“Ghana has the capacity to be the home of herbal medicine but that journey must begin now”

He indicated that his drugs are already making strides outside the country and he is ready to lead this revolution and pave the way of others.

Agbeve Herbal Hospital is one of the most sophisticated herbal health-givingcenters on the continent with ultra modern care given facilities.

Dr. Mohammed Agbeve,the owner of Agbeve Herbal Hospital, was acknowledged by the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama as one of the ambassadors of change in the country during the State of the nations address delivered in the Parliament of Ghana.

Get a degree in herbal medicine from knust

The Herbal Medicine programme is a 4year degree program offering the BSc degree in Herbal Medicine. It aims at producing healthcare professionals who would use locally available resources to provide healthcare. It began in 2001 as a Unit in the Department of Pharmacognosy but it became a Department in 2005. It is a unique multidisciplinary programme and it is the first of its kind in the country and in Africa.

COURSE STRUCTURE
The programme comprises both theoretical and practical components. The theoretical aspect is founded in the basic pharmaceutical and medical sciences reinforced with laboratory based exercises. In addition, clinical training is offered in the third and fourth years to facilitate skills development in the management of patients. This training takes place in the KNUST Hospital. Plans are afoot to establish a training/research clinic on campus to strengthen clinical training. Students are expected to do attachments in areas related  to herbal medicine practice during vacations.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
SHS Candidates
The Candidate must have passed with credit the three (3) WASSSCE/ SSSCE Core subjects: English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science and credits in three (3) WASSSCE/ SSSCE Elective subject: Biology, Chemistry and Physics/ Mathematics
or
'A' Level Candidates.
The candidate must have: the General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level in five (5) subjects including English and Mathematics in addition to: Chemistry, Physics and Biology; or General Science, Additional General Science and any other subjects plus the General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level or its equivalent in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics/ Mathematics.

Mature Applicants
Applicants must be at least 25 years at the time of submitting the application; and must have either five (5) credits at the O-Level including English Language, Chemistry, Biology and Physics/ Mathematics.  They may be subject to entrance examination and interview.
Applicants with WASSSCE/ SSSCE qualifications will be subject to general University admission conditions.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
On completion of the programme, it is expected that graduates will be registered with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), the regulatory body, and be eligible to practice as healthcare professionals after internship and passing of the professional examination. 
The graduates may find employment either in the Regulatory and Services Agencies under the Ministry of Health (Ghana Health Service, Traditional and Alternative Medicines Directorate, Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine, etc.), other research institutes and Quasi-government Health Facilities, Church-based Organisations and NGOs in Health or may set up their own practices as General Practitioners (Medical Herbalists).

ONGOING PROJECTS
In the near future it is expected that herbal medicine products would be developed for use in practice. Research will continue to enable validation of anecdotal claims for herbal products used in the treatment of common deseases. Plans are on-going to introduce graduate programs in herbal medicine research. Plans are under consideration to establish a collaborative links with foreign Universities with Department of Herbal Medicine in the development of staff in specialist areas for teaching and practice.

Increase In Use of Herbal Medicine In Ghana Africa, World

Long before the introduction of scientific medical care by Europeans, African nationals including Ghanaians relied on traditional medicines for the cure and treatment of tropical ailments like malaria, headaches, stomach, skin diseases and many more.
About 65 to 70 percent of the country’s population, especially the rural folks depend on herbal medicine, says Professor Laud K.N.A. Okine, Director of the Centre for Scientific Research for Plant Medicine (CSRPM). The World Health Organization (WHO) has given backing to this by saying that more than 80 per cent of the people in the world depend on herbal medicine.
Native doctors in Africa who have been responsible for curing people learned their trades from their ancestors who relied on herbs, tree backs and roots for the treatment of ailments. This method of medical care is so popular that it has been in use even now side by side the scientific medical care in our towns and villages. Dr Osafo Mensah, Former Deputy Director of the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine, said over the years, traditional medicine has played a very important role in health care delivery in the country, adding that, its potential has not been exhaustibly examined.
He emphasized that, globally the World Health Organization had stated that about 80 per cent of the World’s population use herbal or Traditional Medicine.
The practice of traditional medicine he said, had been practiced by various ethnic groups in Africa in the past, saying that over 90 per cent of drugs used in hospitals today were introduced in recent years.
Indeed to ensure their efficacies, drugs and mixtures produced by traditional medical practitioners are sent to Mampong Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicines CSRPM for examination and approval for use by patients.
The traditional medical care has been found to be so effective that it has been incorporated in our mainstream medical training in some schools of higher learning including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. Apart from learning to diagnose diseases the training centers teach the students the art of producing herbal preparations for the cure of tropical diseases.
So far three batches of Herbal Medical Practitioners from KNUST and other institutions have been examined and certified by as Herbal Medical Practitioners. As a new model of assessment, there was bound to be review of the examination structure. It was proposed in the post-examination reviews that during the period of internship, interns would carry a log book to record the diseases encountered. The log book would also propose the kind of management undertaken for that kind of disease, or the kind of herbs used and the mode of preparation. A clear documentation of follow-up was to be done. The log book would be signed by their supervisor(s). This would form part of the examination score.
It was also noted that because candidates had difficulty in recalling common medicinal plants for the treatment of the specific diagnosis, it was suggested that there should be a lot of input from the university training up through to the period of internship about these plants and their preparations.
In this case, the special laboratory that is being created at the Herbal Medicine Unit, KNUST, should be accelerated to introduce students to the industrial preparation of the various herbal dosage forms for specific diseases.
So far, of those qualified, some are in private practice, some employed in the Clinical Department of the CSRPM as Clinical Researchers whilst others are into herbal research at the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, Ghana. Some are still waiting for the establishment of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Herbal Clinics. This model of assessment for the graduate Herbal Medical Practitioners will be one of the models of assessment of the Traditional Medicine Practice in Ghana.
Apart from KNUST one of such training centers has been established in the Ashanti Region by Sheikh Amin Bonsu the founder of Amin Scientific Herbal Hospital.
The importance of traditional method of healing has led to some Ghanaians setting up a number of hospitals and clinics in all parts of the country. One of these medical centers is the Amin Scientific Herbal Hospital at Dome Accra as an alternative medicine practice center that employs various forms of complementary and alternative medicines such as Pythotherapy (herbal medicine), Homeopathy, Naturopathy and Osteopathy. Like all CAM practices, Amin Scientific Herbal Hospital focuses on the holistic approach to healthcare. The center has well trained staffs in various fields of practice.
With Sheikh Dr Amin Bonsu as head and Director its aim has been to provide safe and effective complementary and alternative medicines through modern technology.
The Amin hospital operates in four departments of scientific diagnoses and treatment. These include ‘Non Linear Spectral Diagnosis section’ where modern technology is used in managing disease conditions; a ‘Radionics Section’ and ‘Normal Laboratory’; ‘Electronic Pulse Massaging Section’ and the ‘Massaging Section’.
The herbal hospital has 13 branches in Ghana with one at Batsoona in Spintex, Accra and others in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. The hospital has successfully treated various forms of male and female infertility prostate cancer, and hyperplasia. Cardiovascular accident (stroke,) hypertension, acute renal failure arthritis, and its related diseases, osteoarthritis, lumbago, lower back pains multiple sclerosis etc. the hospital’s management of diseases is unique as clients of the hospital report of speedy healing.
The 13 medical centers have become so popular and demand more herbal preparations. Dr Sheikh Amin therefore found it necessary to set up large acres of medical in the Ashanti region to produce medical plants for the production of medicines.
Although the medical center and its branches are run on commercial basis they provide free medical screening and care periodically for the public. Massaging and some other services are free to the public at all times in the centers. Apart from the medical services the hospital centers encourage their clients to embark on physical exercises and eat moderately to ensure healthy and sound bodies at all times
As a result of the excellent services being rendered by the hospital and centers medical officials from Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire have visited Ghana during which they studied the modern methods of healing by the staffs of the hospital and its centers. They also gave awards to the director of the hospital and centers with the authorities in Burkina Faso Naming Dr Amin as ‘Naaba’ king of herbal medicine.
All well meaning people are grateful to the authorities and people of cote divoire and Burkina Faso for the honor done Dr Amin for his achievements. However the question being asked by a number of people is what are we doing to honor Dr Amin in Ghana?

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

The forgotten cure? The state of herbal medicine in Ghana

Have you ever wondered how babies born deep in the heart of Ghana survive convulsion even though their  mothers cannot  afford the GHC3.20 lorry fare to the nearest clinic five  kilometres  away? Or how those bitten by  snakes survive even without meeting a qualified health practitioner?

Over the years, our healthcare delivery system has been heavily reliant on orthodox medications and other orthodox methods of therapy. A considerable section of the populace, however, view herbal medicine either as a better choice or a viable alternative to orthodox drugs. Indeed, the practice of traditional medicine in Ghana, which dates back to the pre-colonial era, has continued to thrive. 
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 80 per cent  of the Ghanaian populace use herbal preparations in meeting their primary healthcare needs. Lack of access, high cost and perceived side effects of synthetic drugs have informed this preference. Our cultural disposition and traditional belief systems have made it easier for the average citizen to believe his ‘herb’ and shun the ‘white man’s poison’.

Development of herbal medicine 

Though the role and importance of orthodox medicine in our healthcare system is undeniable, the call for the development of herbal medicine practice and its integration into our healthcare delivery system cannot be overlooked. Currently, a new and exciting trend is developing. There is a resurging interest in natural products and plant-based medicine, especially in the developed world. 
Plant-based medicine is no longer tagged as the witchdoctor’s cure, fit only for the poor in our villages but a viable and reliable treatment system that can be incorporated into our mainstream healthcare delivery. The irony is that, a significant amount of orthodox medications we view as the holy grail of therapy, are, or were developed from  plant-derived compounds. Do you know that household names such as quinine and artesunate; both used in the treatment of malaria were developed from naturally occurring compounds in plants? 
Though a strong case can be made for herbal medicine, there remains many issues regarding its practice in Ghana. There is insufficient scientific data pertaining to the efficacy and toxicity of herbal medications, some of which are already in active use for various conditions. In Ghana, only a small percentage of the traditionally used medicinal plants have been scientifically investigated for their acclaimed benefits.

Regulation challenges

Regulation of herbal drugs and herbal medicine practice remains a problem. Consumers make decisions based on rigorous media campaigns which trumpet the ‘one cure for all diseases’ and ‘100 percent safety’ mantra. The issue, however, is no medicine, natural or synthetic can be said to be without adverse effects.
The destruction of biodiversity such that even before the health benefits of a medicinal plant are scientifically exposed, it has been long cleared and burnt for charcoal or the land on which it thrives has been cleared to make way for infrastructure.
Though strides have been made by stakeholders to modernise this sector and incorporate it into the health system, we are still a long shot away from home. 
For some time now, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FPPS) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been working tirelessly to address some of these issues.

Research findings

Research has centred on verifying traditional claims surrounding locally used medicinal plants in addition to identifying and isolating the compounds responsible for these medicinal effects. These compounds may serve as motifs for developing new drugs. So far, collaborations with Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research into Plant Medicine (CSIR-PM), Mampong, and other international outfits have helped in this cause.
 The formation of the New Year School for herbalists by the Department of Herbal Medicine of the FPPS, KNUST, is a new concept geared towards providing them with basic scientific teachings in an attempt to standardise the practice and to preserve knowledge. 
Currently, the writers of this article, who are postgraduate students of the FPPS, are also engaged in research in this area and so far, some interesting preliminary findings have been made.
For instance, the bark of the stem of the Wawa tree (Triplochitonscleroxylon), a popular source of timber, has been found to reduce joint swelling and bone damage associated with arthritis and airway inflammation associated with asthma. 
Interestingly, chronic toxicity studies in animals treated with extracts from this plant showed minimal harmful effects. Bunasub (Magaritarianobilis) a popular plant among the Konkomba, used locally as a chewing stick, has been found to have huge potential as a drug in treating arthritis, sprains and open wounds. 
We have also established that the Akuamma tree (Picralima nitida), which is commonly used for making our mortar and pestles and as a remedy for pain in several communities, may have additional sedative properties as well. In all cases, plans have been made to identify and isolate the compounds responsible for these effects.
So with our vast bio-resources, Ghana is blessed with a unique and readily available raw material base for research and drug development. Alternative medicine is not without financial benefits. For instance, the world market for Chinese herbal medicine has soared over a few years and is now estimated to be worth about $23 billion. 
With preference for Chinese medicine growing by 25 per cent  per year in the US alone, that figure is bound to increase. The discovery of new compounds have transformed pharmaceutical industries and indeed boosted the economies of other countries such as the United States and Switzerland. 
Although much cannot be said about Ghana, our country can also boast an increase in volume of trade generated by herbal medicine in terms of exports and internal trade. 
The writers are all pharmacists currently undertaking PhD programmes in Natural Product Pharmacology and Natural Product Chemistry respectively, at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST.

Sunday, 31 May 2015

Ghana government asked to subsidize research cost of herbal medicines

Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged government to subsidize research cost into plant and herbal medicines to derive the fullest benefits from them.
According to him, herbal medicines over the years had proved to be efficacious but the level of toxicity, preservation and manner of dispensing had always been the problem, hence the need for government to subsidize the cost of research to help practitioners do the right thing.
Currently, all herbal medicines are supposed to be tested at the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine at Akuapem-Mampong, however, many herbal medicines which had not gone through such procedures were being sold to the public due to several reasons including lack of resources.
Dr Appiah-Denkyira, who was speaking at the inauguration of an ultra-modern facility of the Kwayisi Christian Herbal Clinic at Ayisaa near Suhum, debunked the perception that herbal medicines were inferior to orthodox ones.
He said what was needed was the modernisation of traditional herbal medicine practice, where the environment including data management, diagnosis and treatment lines would meet the standards of an orthodox clinic.
He said the GHS, over the years, had ensured that most herbal clinics operated according to standards which most had complied with adding that very soon some herbal clinics would be listed to provide services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Dr Appiah-Denkyira urged management of the Kwayisi Herbal Clinic to collaborate with the district health directorate in the interest of patients since all of them were in the same business of healing and managing diseases.
The Kwayisi Herbal Clinic was established in 1980 by one Barfour Atua Kroko and was popularly known as Ayisaa for healing of strokes and related diseases. It operated in a wooden structure until recently when it had a facelift.
The new clinic consists of Out-Patients Department (OPD), consulting rooms, dispensary, administrative offices, drugs production area and storage among others.
Mr Emmanuel Ampem-Darko, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the clinic, said challenges in the industry included difficulty in getting the plant medicines due to issues relating to ownership and the refusal of some medical doctors to accept herbal medicines as potent.
He mentioned instances where some doctors openly told patients that when they took herbal medicines they would die and even refuse to take care of patients who had already taken in herbal medicines.
Mr Ampem-Darko said there was the need for a healthy collaboration and appealed to the Director-General to help address that issue.

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Effect Of Herbal Medicines On Pregnancy

Herbal medicines refer to herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations and finished herbal products used in the treatment of disease conditions and maintenance of health. Herbal medicines like their orthodox counterparts act through some mechanisms to bring about their curative effects in the body. Some of these mechanisms are understood and demonstrated by Pharmacologists in the lab through animal studies and other experiments. The outcome of a drug/medicine study gives an idea as to the side effects/undesirable effects expected in people on the medication.
A medication is withheld and not used (contraindicated) in individuals with certain disease condition and pregnancy if the side effects out ways the desirable effects. More than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines at some time during pregnancy. In general, drugs should not be used during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary because many can harm the fetus. About 2 to 3% of all birth defects result from drugs taken to treat a disorder or symptom. However medicines sometimes are essential for the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus but the risk and benefits associated with such medicines should be made known to pregnant women by their physicians.
Medicines including herbal medicines taken by pregnant women get to the fetus by crossing the placenta, the same route used by oxygen and nutrients in the mother’s blood needed for fetus’s growth and development. Medicines that are harmful in pregnancy( especially in the first trimester) act through different ways. For instance, some affect the fetus indirectly by reducing the mother’s blood pressure therefore reducing the flow of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the placenta. The wood betony plant (Stachys officinalis) is an example of BP reducing medicine in pregnancy. Others act by causing the muscles of the uterus to contract forcefully, triggering preterm labour and delivery or indirectly by reducing nutrient and oxygen supply to the fetus.
Again some medicines that are harmful in pregnancy act directly on the fetus, causing damage, abnormal development leading to birth defects, or death whiles others alter the placenta function by causing constriction(narrowing) of blood vessels thus reducing oxygen and nutrient supply . This results in underdeveloped and underweight babies. The wormwood plant( Artemisia absinthum) when used during pregnancy may cause uterine contractions, miscarriage, and preterm labour .
Although herbal medicines are natural, not all are safe to use during pregnancy. The Food and Drugs
Authority(FDA) urges pregnant women not to take any herbal product without talking to their healthcare providers. Pregnant women are also cautioned to consult a Medical Herbalist(MH), and experienced herbalists registered with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council(TMPC) under the ministry of health Ghana if they want to use any herbal medication during pregnancy. Depending on the source, some information will list an herb as safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas others may list the same herb as unsafe. Therefore it is best to consult with professionals before taking any herb, herbal material, herbal preparation or finished herbal product during pregnancy.
Most women are nervous about the serious side effects of orthodox medications during pregnancy thus they resort to herbal medicines. Such individuals should take note that some herbal medicines also may contain substances or active constituents that can cause miscarriage, premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus as discussed earlier. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of various herbs on pregnant women or a developing fetus.

Monday, 25 May 2015

Return to Natural Living; the Role of Traditional Medical Practice in Ghana

Traditional Medicine Practice (TMP) has been a significant part of the history of medicine in Ghana

Herbal medicine has been, and still is used to treat all kinds of ailments; Bruises, malaria, fever, sexual and reproductive health issues, menstrual irregularities, skin disorders and now, preparations that control the spread of AIDS in people living with HIV and other complex ailments, have been said to have been developed by herbal medical practitioners.

Traditional medicine practitioners use plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots, seeds, fruits, flowers, tree barks, etc., which have been found to have essential medicinal properties to cure diseases. These plant parts are made into various forms, fresh, dried, cut-in-pieces, powder, ointment, oil extract, liquid, lotion, etc. to treat ailments.

In Ghana, the proliferation of Herbal Medicine and the treatment of myriads of diseases by a single medical preparation have created erroneous impressions in the minds of some people.

Concerns have been raised about the safety and efficacy of herbal concoctions in terms of their preparation, hygiene, dosage of administration, packaging etc. As a result, many people have doubted the quality and potency of local herbal remedies.

Others say they believe in the efficacy of plant medicine, but are not comfortable making the choice because they feel not much has been done in terms of having formal regulatory bodies to control the activities especially of private traditional medicine practice in Ghana.

Notwithstanding the wrong impressions, many people still patronize herbal medicine. Some say they choose herbal drugs over pharmaceutical ones because they believe their natural base make them more effective in treating certain ailments with fewer side effects.

Recognizing the role of traditional medical practice in the country, herbal treatment has been incorporated into Ghana’s health care delivery program.

As such, research institutions and other relevant bodies have been set up to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicine and practice.

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi for instance runs a degree program in Herbal Medicine to maintain and preserve the knowledge and use of traditional medicine as an alternative to orthodox ones.

The Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine at Mampong in the Eastern Region has been established to carry out research into plant medicine, address issues of quality and safety in herbal drug use by scientifically validating the therapeutic effects of herbal preparations.

Also, Herbal Medicine Practitioners have formed Associations to regulate their activities, learn from each other and receive formal training to be able to practice their profession in a more organized and trusted manner.

Furthermore, Herbal Units have been established in some government hospitals to promote herbal medical practice in the country. In February this year, a Herbal Unit was commissioned at the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly Hospital at Teshie, Accra.

The Police Hospital in Osu, Accra has also begun operating its herbal unit to take care of persons who prefer Traditional Medicine treatment. Plans to introduce herbal treatment units in some 17 other government hospitals across the country are also far advanced.

A Medical Herbalist at the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly Hospital, Ms Esi Woode, told Citi News in an interview that several patients have been treated with herbal remedies since the establishment of the unit in February this year.

Opanin Kofi Budu, a private herbal practitioner and a member of the registered Physic and Herbalist Association (PHA) also said in an interview that many people choose herbal treatment over pharmaceutical drugs because plant based treatments are relatively safer, in that they have less chemical effects on the body as compared to chemical based medications.

He said plant medicine offer profound curative benefits, are less expensive and readily available. According to him, common skin disorders like eczema and pimples are better cured with natural herbal remedies because they are gentle on the skin.

With the support for what is being done by governments and private institutions to promote Traditional Medicine Practice in Ghana, it is obvious that the role of Traditional Medicine Practice in Ghana cannot be underestimated.

There is the need for stakeholders to do more to correct misconceptions and get more people interested in and comfortable with Traditional Herbal Medicine.

Research institutions should be well equipped to carry out extensive research into plant medicine. There should be regulatory bodies to strictly monitor the operations and facilities especially of private herbal medical practitioners.

Regular skill development training for practitioners and the incorporation of modern technology into the practice would bring improvement into the industry.

With better structures in place, I believe many people would conveniently choose Traditional Herbal Medicine, which is known to be efficient, safe and natural alternative to healthy living.

Saturday, 23 May 2015

Don’t Neglect Herbal Medicine – Govt Told

CHRISTIAN KWASI Agyeman, CEO of Taabea Company Ltd -  producers of Taabea Herbal Mixture – has expressed grave concern over the seeming neglect of the herbal industry by the government, stressing the need for the government to support the industry to grow beyond the borders of Ghana.

Mr Agyeman, who is also the National Chairman of Universal Ghana Herbal Manufacturers’ Union (UGHEMU), said the herbal industry, despite its laudable contribution to the health of the country, is not being supported adequately by the government – a trend, he noted, was impacting negatively on its growth.

He has, therefore, charged the President Mahama-led government to implement the necessary measures and policies that would generate public interest in the use of herbal medicine in the country, insisting that the herbal industry could boost the country’s economy if the government gave it proper support.

“Herbal medicine is now improving beyond human understanding and this shows why people have accepted the use of it. We call on government to give us a little push to promote the industry,” he said, noting that with government’s support the industry could perform better than it is currently doing.

Mr Agyeman, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, requested that “Government should engage in an effective collaboration with the herbal industry to project the herbal products even beyond the country.”

He added that government should take a central role in the promotion of the medicine in the country just as some Asian countries like India had adopted.

The CEO of Taabea Company also urged government to reduce taxes on the importation of herbal raw materials as a means to support the industry, adding that the expansion of the industry would automatically lead to the creation of employment opportunities for the youth.

As a measure to reduce the importation of orthodox drugs as well as ensure the appreciation of the fast-falling cedi, Mr Agyeman proposed that the government should encourage the use of herbal medicine by way of promoting it.

The Taabea boss estimated that the country’s revenue could grow by a staggering 53 percent if herbal medicine, which has lately taken new technological dimensions, was given the needed attention and support by the state.

Taabea Company Ltd started its operation in 2008 and has grown to become one of the biggest players in the herbal industry, offering direct employment to 74 people and other sales executives across the country.

The company in 2013 was awarded by WHO and GHATFRAM at the Traditional Medicine Awards Day ceremony for promoting traditional medicine in Ghana. The event was sponsored by the Indian government.

The chairman of UGHEMU stated that players in the industry, aside saving human lives, had provided educational scholarships and sponsored educational programmes to communities as part of their social responsibilities.

Saturday, 16 May 2015

Herbal medicine producers target American market

The Ghana National Traditional Healers Association in collaboration with regulatory bodies is working assiduously to open up its market share to capture the international community, particularly the USA, by June 2015.
According to the Association, a consultancy firm has revealed that the African community in places like Maryland and Washington D.C., both in the USA, holds herbal medicines from Ghana in high esteem, hence its [Ghana National Traditional Healers Association] keen interest to penetrate those markets to augment foreign exchange earnings from non-traditional exports.

The dream has been rekindled by a 30-day intensive “Training in Quality Herbal Products Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship for Improved Productivity and Competitiveness” for a selected 100 practitioners, Baffour Agyapong, Brong Ahafo Regional Association Chairman, has told the B&FT in an interview.
The training workshop was facilitated by the Department of Herbal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), with sponsorship from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) and Skills Development Fund (SDF).


He said the training has bequeathed to practitioners the needed technical know-how to produce herbal medicines that meet international standard conformity: including bottling; label requirements such as ingredients, dosage, batch numbers, undesirable effects, clinical particulars among others.
“Hitherto, some practitioners were collecting raw materials from roadsides and around refuse dumps; they used to package medicines in empty alcohol and water bottles. We were doing that out ignorance,” he noted.


Mr. Agyapong revealed that the Association has contracted a manufacturing company to produce bottles for its members. “We now also have close ties with the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standard Authority as well, to ensure periodic standardisation checks at the various facilities,” he added.

He lamented the indiscriminate felling of trees, and the clamour for and excessive use of agrochemicals in controlling weeds, explaining: “The trend is a threat to their source of raw materials, as most medicinal trees and plants species are in danger of extinction.”
He appealed for government to help establish more certified centres at vantage towns to aid their business. He stated that most practitioners -- after testing their sample products at the Akuapim Mampong Centre for Research into Plant Medicine and KNUST -- are unable to produce commercial quantities for sale due to scarce certified production facilities.


Mr. Agyapong concluded: “Governmental support will ensure a vibrant traditional medicine practice; wealth/job-creation; and enhance revenue generation to boost the local economy and also complement operations of orthodox medicine in pursuit of quality healthcare delivery.”

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Ghanaian Herbal Doctor cures HIV /AIDS

Whiles great scientists across the world are still in a quandary regarding efforts at finding a cure for the deadly HIV/AIDS disease, a herbalist at Agona in the Efigya-Sekyere South District of the Ashanti region of Ghana claims to have a cure for the dreadful disease.
Dr Yaw Boadi Mensah Herbal Center at Agona in the Sekyere South District in the Ashanti region of Ghana has totally cured many from the deadly HIV/AIDs disease after going through a very short treatment period.


Medical reports from major lab and hospitals in Ghana like, Medilab Diagnostic Center, Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 37 Military hospital, etc.
Dr. Yaw Boadi Mensah whose herbal powers have transcended the borders of this country has cure for HIV/AIDS, Syphilis, Hepatitis A and B, Gonorrhea, Stroke, Ulcer, Impotence and piles.
Dr. Yaw Mensah Boadi is saying that HIV and AID s is an evil disease which can be bought to everyone irrespective of his status or creed and is also classified as a sexually transmitted disease prevalent in Africa and some parts of Asia.


Orthodox medicine has failed to find a cure to this disease. Being a viral disease it can be passed on to another person through several means such as sexual intercourse and blood transfusion.
The famous herbalist called on government to accord the necessary recognition to the herbal industry since the sector is a multi-million cedi industry that employs a greater number of people who otherwise would be out of job.
T/Dr Boadi disclosed that herbs have been used to cure all kinds of diseases in ancient times when there were no orthodox drugs or medicines. He believes that it is a gift from God for him to heal people and set them free from the deadly HIV/AIDS disease.
Dr Boadi can be contacted on 00233543871609

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Traditional Medicine Practitioners want recognition

The Greater Accra Chairman of Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Mr. Oscar Asamaoh Donkoh, has appealed to government and the National health insurance Authority to include traditional herbal medicine in the national health insurance scheme as indicated in the Scheme’s Act.
He said this would help pharmacies and some herbal dealers to avoid the sale of fake or duplicated herbal medicines to members of the general public.
Mr. Oscar Donkor again appealed to the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health service to ensure an active collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and the enforcement of the profession by the Traditional Medicine Practice Council.
He expressed concern about the fragmentation amongst practitioners “as some of the herbal dealers are money centered and their action cause embarrassment to the fraternity and bring the name of the profession into disrepute”.
Mr. Oscar further appealed to FDA to question herbal dealers to provide their membership with the traditional medicine council before registering them.
Dr. George Kuffour, senior lecture at KNUST at the department of herbal medicine, who was lecturing Greater Accra herbal practitioners’ branch on the theme, “Practice Preference and Problems”, called on government to ensure that the cost of testing the usefulness and efficacy of herbal medicines at the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine is affordable to practitioners of traditional medicine.
He called for a system in research and educational institutions to ensure that research findings are made known to all traditional medicine practitioners in a timely manner through periodic briefings and workshop.

Saturday, 2 May 2015

Herbal Medicine graduates to face-lift herbal production in Ghana

Fingers are being directed at graduates of herbal medicine as the answer to a positive change in medicine production in Ghana.
Experts say perennial issue of side effects and overtime resistance of orthodox medicines could be relegated to the background if we embrace herbal drugs.
This has resulted in the battle between herbal medicine and the orthodox one for the medicine market.
Though this makes it difficult for consumers to choose between the two, herbal medicine is surprisingly receiving much attention.
But recently, the new paradigm has come under a lot of heavy public backlash and uproar raising questions about the potency of some of them.
In recent times there have been reports of serious complications and sometimes even death of some patrons of the so called herbal medicines.
This has compelled some respectable section of the public to suggest the going back to the orthodox medicine to avoid the worst.
But students and graduates of the Herbal Medicine programme at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology are vehemently opposing the idea.
A young doctor of the Herbal Medicine Department at the KNUST is positive herbal medicine graduate is the answer to this recent brouhaha.
Dr.Richard Amoh believes these students are scientist who will inject best and appropriate scientific procedures and add to quality into the industry.
This, according to him would go a long way to curbing the issue of false, unhealthy and unhygienic concoction sold in the market.
Leadership of Ghana Herbal Medicine Students Associationis worried the media only talks about the negative things persons they describe as quark in their industry are doing.
Public Relations Officer, Ebenezer Agyemang also called on the public to support the new wave into accepting herbal drugs by propagating the good side.
“Herbal medicines are good but before you take them you should check where is coming from, how to use it and who is administering it,” he said.
Statistics haveshown that 25 percent of drugs prescribed in America have plant derived products.
And 600-700 herbal based preparations are prescribed by 70 per cent of German physicians.
Countries like China, India and Cuba have embraced the new wave and that has reduced their mortality ration.

Thursday, 30 April 2015

Apostle Dr. Safo modernising the field of Herbal Medicine


As early as 1987, after series of successful research into natural plant medicine, the Star of Africa established the Great KOSA Clinic to respond to the health needs of the society and to treat common diseases using African healing methods and traditions in a modern clinical environment.

The Great KOSA clinic was and continuous to be famous for its success in treating chronic diseases which had lingered with some patients for years. The Clinic has been referred to as “Last Stop” by most people especially patients who finally got treated at the clinic for diseases they thought were not curable.

After establishing the clinic, the Star of Africa focused on researching deeper into natural plant medicine. His vision in this area is to change the face of plant medicine, make it more attractive and acceptable in the country and continent.

Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, determined to continuously advance research into natural plant medicine and achieve the dream he had envision in the 1980’s,  established the Plant Medicine department as part of Apostle Safo Suaye Technological Centre in 2005.

The department has in stock natural plant medicine efficient in the treatment of diseases like malaria, cough, typhoid fever, hernia, ulcer, joint pains, rheumatism, convulsions,  diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood pressure ( hypotension), infertility, asthma, tuberculosis, anaemia, influenza, migraine, onchocerciasis, malfunctioning kidneys, lung diseases, fibroid,  piles, cancer, baldness, general body weakness, jaundice, hepatitis, etc

Although the effective treatment to some of these diseases were developed by Apostle Dr. Safo even before the 1980’s, the department has developed other forms of processing and packaging of the medicine into various drug administration forms such pills, syrups, injectables, infusions, tea bags etc.

Location:

Taifa, Off Burkina Road
Opposite Kristo Asafo Building

Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Stephen Oduro
Tel: +233244-293919

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

FDA & MOH Collapsing Traditional Herbal Medicine Industry

Mr. Oscar Asamoah Donkoh, Chairman of Ghana National Association of Traditional Healers, Greater Accra has expressed displeasure in the attempt of Food and Drug Authority and Ministry of Health to collapse their industry.

“Ministry of Health and Food and Drug Authority are sabotaging our industry, Ministry of health is suppose to supply our medicines to the hospitals but have refusedand Food and Drug Authority is suppose to register our product between the range of two months but it takes six to eight months to register one product which is collapsing our herbal industry. After takingour money they delay in registering our medicines without any tangible reason” Mr. Oscar lamented.

“We have trained herbal doctors from KNUST who are given offices by government in various hospitals to treat patients with traditional herbal medicine in the hospitals but ministry of health has failed to supply the herbal medicines to these herbal doctors and they are sitting idle the hospitals”, he bemoaned.

.“I want to clarify this mischief by some paid doctors that traditional herbal medicine causes cancer, it is total distortion, false and propaganda to destroy our industry. We have done our cross-checks from all the hospitals and there is no single report on herbal medicine causing cancer so the medical doctors should stop circulating lies!”.

“We are appealing to government to come to our aid, we are facing a lot of challenges in the traditional herbal industry, especially financial challenges but there is no helping hand”. Mr. Oscar Asamoah Donkoh said government should enact a law that will enforce FDA to consult traditional medicine practice council because they know best about traditional herbal medicines” Mr. Donkoh said.

According to Mr. Oscar, before any herbalist register his/her products from FDA he/she has to be assisted by the traditional medicine practice council, in accordance to act 575 of their constitution but most of the herbal products are registered without their knowledge. We have drawn the attention of FDA to consult us before they register any herbal medicine product but FDA has turn deaf ears to our calling and registering fake medicines.

Ghana Federation of Traditional medicine, Greater Accra chairman, Mr. Asamoah Donkoh said, come 2015, every traditional herbal practitioners hould register with the Ghana Federation of traditional medicine. He cautioned that, anybody who refused to register with the Ghana federation of traditional medicine will be stopped from selling their products. He disclosed that, theywill be training their members on symptoms of diseases come 1st January 2015 at KNUST, Kumasi.

Fr Adodo seeks partnership with Ghana to promote herbal medicine

For effective health policies formulation, Rev Fr. Anselm Adodo OSB, the director of Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, has advised African governments to involve the private sectors and create a level playing ground for both conventional orthodox medicine practice and traditional herbal medicine. He said this during his recent visit to Ghana, on the invitation of the Ministry of Health, Ghana.

Fr. Adodo noted that the orthodox, conventional method of healing is not the only valid health system, adding that there are other ways of attaining health that are equally valid.

While welcoming Rev Fr. Adodo,Pharmacist Peter Arhin, the director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health Ghana, disclosed that in the spirit of brotherly entrepreneurship, the Ghanaian authority urged both countries to put in placehealth policies that will encourage large scale production of herbal medicines. He added that since the practice ofherbal medicine is the same in Africa and what unites us together are the plants, it is therefore imperative that we cultivate our medicinal plants and do it in such a way that the world will benefit from what we are doing.

Pharm Arhin further identifiedthe need to recognise our herbal practitioners, as well as train them to produce refined herbal medicines. “It is also important that the research aspect of our traditional medicine be developed, while we ensure that the intellectual property rights of traditional healers are protected”.

Also at the event, which included the facility tours of specific herbal hospitals and institutions in Ghana, among others, the patron of the Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Ghana, and Director, Association for the Promotion of Traditional Medicine (PROMETRA), PharmacistAloka Dabra, said that “what orthodox medicine has failed to do, African herbal medicine is doing”.

While commending the role of Fr. Anselm Adodo in herbal medicine practice and publications in Africa and thepioneering role of Pax Herbals in herbal medicineresearch, packaging and manufacturing, Pharm Aloka revealed that herbal medicine is being integrated into the Ghana healthcare policy, backed with appropriate laws.

“As a result of this development, there are presently 18 government approved hospitals where herbal and alternative medicines arebeing practiced in Ghana. The consultants at the herbal clinics in these hospitals are trained at the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University with Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in herbal medicine. Meanwhile, Ghana presently has over 150,000 legally registered herbal practitioners”.

Pharm Aloka, who observed that over 66 universities are offering degrees up to PhD level in herbal medicine in China, with over200 patents, while similar progress is presently taking place in India, however  regretted thatthe whole of Africa has less than five patent rights.

The Ghanaian Traditional Medicine Practitioners Federation also played host to Rev. Fr Adodo and he used the opportunity to givethema motivational address on how to move the practice forward in Ghana. The practitioners therefore urged the management Pax Herbal to commence the importation of their products to Ghana for the health benefits of their people.

Other dignitaries at the eventinclude the former director of Traditional Medicine in Ghana, Osofo Pankama Quaram and Dr. Letica. A. Wiafe, the Municipal Director of health services, Ghana Health Services, among others.
Copyright © 2015 Ghana Herbal Medicine Blog