By: Mariama Njie
Scores of herbalists at the Serekunda Market have reacted to the President Barrow- led Government over the recent warned on herbal advertisement, described it as discriminatory.
Sometimes back, the Ministry of Health through the Traditional Medicine program unit in collaboration with Consumer Consortium and Medicine Control Agency warned all media houses and traditional healers to desist from malicious act of conducting Radio and Television advertisements or facilitating publicity
Traditional medicine is as much a part of life as in The Gambia. Many people rely on it more over western medicine
Speaking to The Voice exclusively yesterday, Saibatou Jammeh, herbalist said government should have not stop the adverting of traditional medicine as it has so many benefits in terms of curing women’s infertility, piles, sexual activeness, stomachache, and constipation.
“‘Kalkato’ roots with ‘jambakatango’ help to cure chest infections, ‘seno’ and ‘wanko’ tree’s bark help to cure skin rashes, ‘seno’ tree leaves and root powder help to cure abdominal pains, ‘kunjungboro’ tree’s bark helps to cure polio and bitter kola nut helps to cure male sexual dysfunctional,” she said.
Ms Jammeh said she had to struggle to get the medicine to cure people “I have to hire people who go to the bush and fetch the traditional medicine for me. Most of these are not in the Gambia, I buy them from Casamance, Southern Senegal and Guinea.”
Fansung Fofana, also herbalist said, “traditional medicines are usually the first option for many people. And herbal medicines have been using for health and medical purposes for several years and have benefited so many people.”
Fofana defended the value of herbal medication saying western medicines are derived from herbs while traditional medicines are directly from the herbs. On this note she said herbal medicine cures effectively.
“There are diseases that cannot be cured immediately after taking the western medicine but can be cured with traditional herbs in short time. I am not encouraging people to stop using western medicines as we are not specialist and cannot carry out operations but herbal medicines have so many benefits, and cures lot of diseases,” she said.
She added: “We do not have testing machines to detect disease from the patience but many times as soon as they explain their problems we will understand and give them herbs that cure them.”
Naffie Jammeh, a vendor said: “Since I start selling herbs, clients always come to tell me the impact of the herbs on them after applying the herbal medication.”
She called on all and sundry to use traditional medicines, saying it cures people very well.
“Our herbs are not expensive, as we sell the medicines for D25, D50 and D100. I think if you try a hospital and your problem is not solve then you should try to use traditional herbs as well,” he said.
They all urged Government to allow herbalists to advertise their medication because it is the only to also reaches to their customers and make people know the value of herbs and traditional medicines in general.
For his part, Modou Njai, director of health promotion and education advised the public to consult health experts before taking any herbal medicines to ensure proper dosage, understand potential side effects, and watch out for reactions with other medications.
Njie further urged pregnant or breastfeeding women to consult healthcare provider prior taking any herbal medicines to avoid health complications.
