You Do not own patients-herbalists told
Jul 09, 2016
"Value patients' lives, if you cannot treat his or her ailment, refer them elsewhere for further treatment.
Herbalists have been cautioned against the "this is my patient" mind set, saying it is wrong and could lead to death of a patient.
Florence Luswata Nakibuuka, national trainer, Communality Empowerment for Development Association (CEDA) said that when patients visit herbalists, some herbalists have a bad habit of keeping patients to themselves, as they give them wrong medication just because they do not want to let them go to other herbalists or medical doctors and a patient could eventually die.
Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune
"Value patients' lives, if you cannot treat his or her ailment, refer them elsewhere for further treatment. Stop owning patients, saying this is my patient even when you know cannot handle the kind of illness they have just because you want to keep getting money from them," said Nakibuuka
"No single doctor or herbalist knows everything or can treat every disease, refer them for better treatment if you cannot treat them. Otherwise, a patient will die in your shrine and their death will be on you," she added
Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune (left) listens to the Coordinator of the National Union of Herbalists and Nature Development, Edirisa SSendagire
Nakibuuka was speaking during a meeting with different stakeholders including herbalists, those who grow herbs, people involved in compounding herbal medicine among others that was organized by Ministry of Health which took place at the at Government Analytical Laboratory premises in Wandegeya on Friday.
Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune (left) being shown a booklet by Lydia Matovu from Mpererw
Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune, director of research natural chemotherapeutics Institute, Ministry of Health said herbalists are important people who provide alternative health care to the medical system but they ought to operate professionally and with truth as they strive to improve their standards.