THE National Association Of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), which Dr Yemi Olusola accused of raping a housewife in Lagos claims he belongs, has come out to disown him. National President of the body, His Royal Highness, Chief. (Dr) T. O. Omon Oleabhiele described Olusola as an impostor.
“I have never come across such a name in our register. The name is strange to me. He should be reported to law enforcement agents. Our association is also interested in the matter. We are tired of elements like him who have been giving bad name to the association’’, he declared.
He explained what qualifies an individual or a traditional healer to be a member of the association. He said that such a fellow must have received training from a qualified practitioner, and thereafter obtain certificates of practice from the association, and Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board.
“Apart from these certificates, the fellow who wants to practice must regularly attend workshop and seminars organized by our association and the Traditional Medicine Board which is regularly organized for certified and intending practitioners. This is to ensure that practitioners are always on top of their profession and practice at all times”, he said.
Expressing shock on the alleged unethical act of Olusola, Oleabhiele highlighted what constitutes unethical practices in the association
“We have a code of conduct which regulates our behaviour while in practice, and once there is violation of that conduct, there is a penalty for it. For example, when a doctor starts toasting a patient or attempts to take undue advantage of the patient by having sex with her, that’s a violation and it is unethical. Therefore, it must attract sanction’’, he said.
He further declared that any practitioner that attempts to practice in an area where he is not qualified will also be sanctioned.
‘’We have many areas of specialisations in traditional medicine, and some of these include Infection, Diabetes and Hypertension. We also have traditional birth attendants, and Orthopaedic specialists. You are expected to practice in your areas of specialisation, but if there is any violation, it attracts penalty,’’ he stated.
On how they handle unethical practices, he said anybody involved in any scandal that drags the name of the association in the mud will be automatically deregistered and also handed over to the Police for prosecution .
Asked if a practitioner can lose his certificate of practice, Oleabhiele said the moment a member is deregistered from the association’s list as a result of a scandal , such practitioner automatically loses his certificate of practice.
