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THE Ministry of Health is currently in discussion with stakeholders to come up with a plan to regularise and implement some formal requirement for the continued operations of the increasing number of herbal practitioners, better known as ‘bush doctors’. This was revealed during a recent interview with Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud at the ministry.
The CMO in an interview with the media stated that while no regulation has yet been put in place, this is an issue the ministry hopes to have resolved in the near future. At present, there is no regulatory body or required certification for persons to practise this alternative form of medical intervention. There also continues to be a large number of persons creating these types of businesses in various parts of the country.
Dr Persaud explained that through the Food and Drug Analyst Department, some herbal products are now being approved for sale, over the counter, as food additives or supplements. He said further that this does not take away from the fact that bush doctors prescribe alternative medicines to patients seeking treatment.
Meanwhile, he also pointed out that many of them continue to run public advertisements through the media, claiming to have cures for many diseases that remain medically incurable.
Rigorous requirements
Following from the discussions, Dr Persaud said, in planning to regulate these ‘bush doctors’ , the ministry is now looking at the qualifications which will entitle them to be recognised and on this note he stated that the Guyana Medical Council, which is the licensing authority in terms of the practice of medicine, is very strict with the requirements which include several examinations, internship and other courses.
The CMO said when the plan is finalised for the regulation of ‘bush doctors’, they will have to adhere to the same rigorous requirements. According to him, while this is one of the measures already on the table, there are a few others the Health Ministry is currently looking at before the full plan is completed.
In the meantime, ‘bush doctors’ countrywide are being contacted individually to meet with the ministry.
The ministry is also seeking advice from other Caribbean governments on this issue. Dr Persaud said plans are being made to look at systems in various countries that will allow ‘bush doctors’ to receive formal training to properly administer alternative treatment/medicine to people, noting that there are a few states that provide training and have set up a formal council or network of professional ‘bush doctors’/ herbalists, who professionally certify other ‘bush doctors’.
Since the passage of the Allied Health Professions Bill of 2009, the ministry has been having much success in regulating professionals in acupuncture therapy; audiology and speech; language pathology; chiropody and podiatry and X-ray technicians, among others. The act seeks to provide for the registration; regulation of practice; maintenance of professional standards and health services of members of allied health professions.
The CMO explained that since the passing of the bill, the ministry has been seeing greater accountability and delivery of services of allied health professionals.
The CMO in an interview with the media stated that while no regulation has yet been put in place, this is an issue the ministry hopes to have resolved in the near future. At present, there is no regulatory body or required certification for persons to practise this alternative form of medical intervention. There also continues to be a large number of persons creating these types of businesses in various parts of the country.
Dr Persaud explained that through the Food and Drug Analyst Department, some herbal products are now being approved for sale, over the counter, as food additives or supplements. He said further that this does not take away from the fact that bush doctors prescribe alternative medicines to patients seeking treatment.
Meanwhile, he also pointed out that many of them continue to run public advertisements through the media, claiming to have cures for many diseases that remain medically incurable.
Rigorous requirements
Following from the discussions, Dr Persaud said, in planning to regulate these ‘bush doctors’ , the ministry is now looking at the qualifications which will entitle them to be recognised and on this note he stated that the Guyana Medical Council, which is the licensing authority in terms of the practice of medicine, is very strict with the requirements which include several examinations, internship and other courses.
The CMO said when the plan is finalised for the regulation of ‘bush doctors’, they will have to adhere to the same rigorous requirements. According to him, while this is one of the measures already on the table, there are a few others the Health Ministry is currently looking at before the full plan is completed.
In the meantime, ‘bush doctors’ countrywide are being contacted individually to meet with the ministry.
The ministry is also seeking advice from other Caribbean governments on this issue. Dr Persaud said plans are being made to look at systems in various countries that will allow ‘bush doctors’ to receive formal training to properly administer alternative treatment/medicine to people, noting that there are a few states that provide training and have set up a formal council or network of professional ‘bush doctors’/ herbalists, who professionally certify other ‘bush doctors’.
Since the passage of the Allied Health Professions Bill of 2009, the ministry has been having much success in regulating professionals in acupuncture therapy; audiology and speech; language pathology; chiropody and podiatry and X-ray technicians, among others. The act seeks to provide for the registration; regulation of practice; maintenance of professional standards and health services of members of allied health professions.
The CMO explained that since the passing of the bill, the ministry has been seeing greater accountability and delivery of services of allied health professionals.
The act seeks to ensure the safety of persons who seek health care. During the passing of that bill, it was promised that the Health Ministry will look into regulating practitioners of naturopathy and herbal medicine. Dr Persaud said given the success of the act, the ministry will be moving swiftly with its discussions and hopefully will be able to complete a plan aimed at regularising ‘bush doctors’.
