Ogun Alternate Medicine Board inaugurates committee to tackle ritual killings

The Ogun Alternate Medicine Board on Tuesday inaugurated a 42-member advisory committee to promote genuine and quality service delivery in order to curb the disturbing trend of ritual killings.

Chairman of the board, Balogun Nurudeen Olaleye, while inaugurating the committee in Abeokuta, said it would also ensure regular monitoring and screening of practitioners before being certified.He explained that the move would enable the board to have a well-coordinated and verified records of practitioners in accordance with the rules and regulations guiding its conduct.Olaleye, who decried the increase in ritual killings, said it had affected the socio-economic growth of the country.

He said that the board would not condone the activities of fake elements and miscreants in bastardising alternate medicine practice.He listed the committee’s responsibilities to include; recommendation and certification of qualified practitioners, detecting quacks, as well as those who indulge in money rituals, among other corrupt practices.

“The present administration is striving to improve the health sector towards providing affordable and quality healthcare services to the people of the state within their localities.“We have decided to inaugurate this committee to guide the practice of alternate medicine and to sanitise what our forefathers considered to be precious to them.

“We will not fold our arms and allow some deviants to tarnish the image of this profession,“ Olaleye said.Responding, a member of the committee, Chief Ifashola Anipupo, the Oluwo Ifa of Ogun, commended the state government in its effort toward the health sector and for recognising alternate medicine and its practitioners.

Anipupo assured that the committee would perform accordingly.Also speaking, another member of the committee, Mrs Abatan Oreagba, appreciated the efforts of the state government for promoting alternate medicine practice in line with global best practices.

She applauded the board members for their total dedication to service for humanity just as she assured that the committee would not let them down. (NAN)