Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

Abstract

The Traditional Medicine Practice Act 2000 (Act 575) was enacted to promote traditional medicine in Ghana. In as much as the act meant to streamline the practice of Traditional Medicine in Ghana, it further inadvertently created a lacuna in the profession of complementary and alternative medicine. Due to this, policymakers found the need to repeal Act 575 to pave way for new legislation. This led to the drafting of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Bill 2014 in Ghana. The bill has however been left hanging with no direction, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. It is currently unclear, whether policymakers or political actors are with or against the Complementary and Alternative Medicine fraternity in Ghana. In this regard, this paper presents a critical appraisal and document analysis of this important Bill drafted in 2014, in a bid to highlight the need for Ghanaian policymakers to pass this bill into fruition, to advance the course of complementary and alternative Medicine in Ghana.   Keywords: Bill, Traditional Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ghana, Ministry of Health.

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Abstract

Background: Prayer is paramount in the spiritual welfare and development of an individual. Prayer is also considered a form of complementary alternative medicine if employed in primary healthcare delivery. Objective: This paper examines if God can be measured based on the impact Christian activities have on humanity, and explores the impact of Christian activities such as prayer as a form of complementary medicine. Materials and Methods: This paper presents a review of the empirical literature. Findings: Christian activities such as prayer, as ordered by God, have many health benefits such as better sleep, less stress, mood stabilizing, improvements in cardiovascular symptoms, and improvements from physical illnesses. Conclusion: The impact of prayer as a Christian activity is not only biblical but also scientifically confirmed.   Keywords: God, Prayer, Scientific, Health, Complementary medicine

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Abstract

Despite immense progress made in the area of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Ghanaian healthcare system, the Traditional Medicine Practice Council still seeks to regulate CAM practitioners as Traditional Medicine Practitioners under Act 575, despite the clear differences between both professions. This situation has led to numerous conflicts and agitations between practitioners of both forms of medical practice. This paper presents a commentary on the evolution of CAM legislation and regulation in Ghana.   Keywords: Legislation, Regulation, CAM, Naturopathy, Ghana

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Abstract

One significant aspect of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (2000) Act 575 is to ensure the registration of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in the Ghanaian jurisdiction that comes within its ambit. This is made clear by the preamble to the law, which states in part, that the law is to establish a Council to regulate the practice of traditional medicine, to register practitioners and license practices, to regulate the preparation and sale of herbal medicine and to provide for related matters. Thus the letter and spirit of the law are clear without ambiguity. The Traditional Medicine Practice Council established by Act 575 now regulates Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices in Ghana. This commentary provides or the capacity of Act 575 and the practice of CAM in Ghana.   Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Alternative Medicine, Naturopathy, Ghana

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