Towards Integration of Modern and Traditional Medicine in Nigeria: Issues, Problems and Prospects

Abstract

Modern medicine is a system of care that is based on scientific knowledge. On the other hand, traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the culture, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different social groups, used in the maintenance of health as well as the prevention and treatment of physical and mental illness. In Nigeria, there are two different medical care systems that exist harmoniously with limited cooperation across the board, hence the need to integrate both systems. This review paper examined the issues, problems, and prospects of such integration in Nigeria. The Negotiated Order Theory by American sociologist Anselm Strauss (1993) was used to explain how integration between the two medical care systems could be achieved in Nigerian society. The paper examined some issues and problems facing the medical care system, such as shortages of healthcare personnel and lack of cooperation between modern and traditional medicine practitioners. Also, traditional medical practitioners are mostly found in rural areas and lack professional expertise. There are problems of uncertainty in their dosage. Traditional healers are also not very transparent in their dealings with patients, among other problems. This paper recommended that the process of integrating the two healthcare systems must be anchored on policy, education and training, as well as monitoring, regulation, and quality assurance.