By Victoria Agyemang
Kormantse (C/R), Sept 28, GNA – The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has educated faith healers on licensing, regulatory compliance and mental health care at the annual conference of the 12 Apostles Church at Kormantse in the Central Region.
The training, aimed at equipping faith healers with the knowledge and skills to operate within the regulatory framework governing traditional and alternative medicine practice, was also to promote responsible and ethical healthcare delivery.
It also sought to deepen participants’ understanding of the importance of licensing, professional standards and collaboration with relevant health institutions in addressing the health needs of communities.
The TMPC urged faith healers to comply with the required licensing procedures and regulations to ensure that their activities met the standards prescribed for traditional medicine practice in the country.
Participants were also sensitised on the importance of recognising mental health conditions and referring individuals who required specialised medical attention to appropriate health facilities.
Dr Yakubu Yusuf Tobor, the Registrar of the Council, said faith healers could not be left out of the healthcare system, hence the need to educate and equip them to improve service delivery.
He said faith healers played significant roles in providing healthcare to communities and regulating their practices therefore would there ensure that their activities met the required standards.
Dr Tobor said educating practitioners was important to promote professionalism, accountability and responsible healthcare practices among faith healers.
The Registrar urged participants to comply with the Council’s licensing requirements and regulatory standards to ensure that their operations were conducted within the law.
Dr Julius Xatse, the Acting Director of the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital emphasised that mental health was an important component of the overall well-being of all and called for responsible approaches to the care and manage persons experiencing mental health challenges.
He encouraged faith healers to avoid practices that could endanger the health and safety of clients and to work with qualified health professionals where necessary.
Participants were also sensitised to the importance of maintaining ethical standards and avoiding practices that could endanger the health and safety of clients.
The engagement provided a platform for interaction between the Council and faith healers, enabling participants to seek clarification on licensing procedures, compliance requirements and their responsibilities in the healthcare system.
The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve the quality and safety of traditional and faith-based healthcare delivery in the country.
The initiative forms part of efforts to promote professionalism, accountability and safe healthcare practices among traditional and alternative medicine practitioners.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah