The Lagos State Government has approved the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) as the minimum qualification for all Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners in the state.
Eko Hot News reports that the directive was issued through the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), mandating existing practitioners to meet the requirement on or before January 1, 2027.
Acting Registrar of LSTMB, Mr Hakeem Bello, announced the decision during a stakeholders’ engagement with Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) practitioners.
He explained that the engagement was aimed at repositioning the sector and clearly separating traditional medicine practitioners from complementary and alternative medicine practitioners.
Bello stated that practitioners would be redesignated under their appropriate categories and must fulfil certification requirements for CAM practice.
He assured stakeholders that the move is not a witch-hunt but a professional reform to sanitise the sector.
According to him, individuals commercialising drugs would be reclassified outside core practice areas such as naturopathy, acupuncture, and homoeopathy.
The Acting Registrar encouraged practitioners to utilise the transition window to upgrade their qualifications.
He recommended the Lagos State College of Health Technology as a recognised institution for CAM-related courses.
Bello noted that the reform is designed to eliminate quackery and infiltrators, while urging practitioners to renew their operational licences promptly.
Deputy National President of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners, Professor Bade Adewale, commended the Board for initiating industry standards.
He advised practitioners to acquire more knowledge, embrace accountability, and build patient trust to strengthen the profession.
The policy underscores Lagos State Government’s commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance in alternative healthcare practice.
