Minister assures herbalists protection of IPR

Akwatia (E/R), Aug 6, GNA - The Minister of Health, Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, has assured traditional medical practitioners with proven remedies for diabetes and other ailments that their intellectual property rights would be protected.

Prof. Danso-Boafo, who said this at the launch of this year's Diabetes Awareness Month at the Saint Dominic's Hospital at Akwatia on Saturday, said the Ministry "will support all practitioners who genuinely have safe and efficacious herbal remedies" for any kind of ailment.

The Minister's assurance comes at the heels of the increasing number of herbalists who claim to have found a cure for HIV/AIDS but have accused the Ministry of Health of apathy to their call for proper recognition.

Prof. Danso-Boafo said the MOH recognises the need to bring traditional practitioners "on board in our effort to provide health care for all Ghanaians" and urged them to take advantage of the new dispensation.

He, however, reminded them of the new traditional medicine and food and drug laws that make it mandatory for herbalists to have their preparations tested by the Akwapim-Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine and asked those who have not availed themselves of the provision to do so.

This, he noted, would help them prepare and package their drugs in a more hygienic and convenient way. He also announced the creation of a new directorate to handle issues concerning traditional and alternative medicines.