The United Nations Federation of International ASTRO Africa (UNFIA) has formalized a groundbreaking partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), aiming to advance traditional medicine and foster global collaboration.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday at the UNFIA office in Abuja, Nigeria between UNFIA’s Africa Coordinator, Professor Olumuyiwa Babalola and NANTMP’s National President, Dr. Shaba Maikudi. NABTMP, representing over 500,000 practitioners, is poised to make a global impact through this alliance.
This collaboration sets the stage for traditional African medicine to gain international recognition. As part of the agreement, both organizations will work together to promote, preserve, and elevate traditional medicine while creating a comprehensive database that will connect NABTMP practitioners with a global audience.
Professor Olumuyiwa emphasized the importance of this partnership in bridging the gap between traditional African medicine and the world, stating, “This is a transformative step forward in ensuring that the rich knowledge of African medicine is shared and appreciated on a global scale.” Dr. Shaba Maikudi echoed this sentiment, adding, “Our practitioners will now have access to opportunities for international recognition, learning, and collaboration.”
Dr. Maikudi also highlighted that NANTMP represents a wide variety of practitioners, including members of the Traditional Raw Materials Association, Traditional Birth Attendants, Faith Healers, and Islamic Prophetic Medicine Practitioners, all of whom will benefit from this partnership. These diverse groups under the NANTMP umbrella will now be better positioned to share their expertise on a global platform.
Traditional African medicine has long been at the heart of healthcare in many communities. Yet, despite its proven efficacy, practitioners have faced challenges such as limited formal recognition and restricted access to global platforms.
Through this MoU, both organizations will address these issues by creating exchange programs that allow traditional medicine practitioners to share their knowledge, learn from global experts, and gain access to certification programs that enhance their credibility.
A key feature of the partnership is the development of a digital platform that will serve as a global database for NANTMP members, ensuring that their expertise is accessible to researchers, institutions, and practitioners around the world. This database is expected to revolutionize the way traditional medicine practitioners connect and collaborate across borders.
Additionally, the partnership includes plans for a UNFIA National Conference, set to take place soon which will further amplify the role of traditional medicine in global healthcare discussions.
This event is expected to draw experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from around the world.
As part of the exchange program, NANTMP members will be able to participate in international collaboration opportunities that will help advance their skills and enhance their practices. With this partnership, the future of traditional medicine is brighter, and its global influence is set to expand significantly.
NANTMP members and stakeholders in traditional medicine are encouraged to engage with this initiative and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
