2012 Holistic Assessment of Health Sector POW - Ministry of Health

• Develop at least one herbal medicine for the ff. diseases conditions: malaria, diabetes,
hypertension, HIV/AIDS: The centre screened and selected 4plants each for diabetes, hypertension
and malaria respectively and 2 plants for prostate cancer. Preliminary analysis on 4 anti
hypertensive plant extracts showed promise in decreasing blood pressure over a four week period
in laboratory rats. Safety and efficacy evaluations of three out of four herbal products which not
dose dependent showed considerable reduction in parasitemia.
• Disseminate research findings (4 research papers and 6 technical reports) on quality, efficacy and
safety of herbal medicines; Two (2) papers were published
• Improve and expand access to herbal medicines
• Intensify program for the conservation & cultivation of medicinal plants
• Provide technical support services to herbal medicine manufacturers and Traditional Medicine
Practitioners (TMPs)
• Collaborate with pharmaceutical industry in the manufacture of herbal medicines
• Collaborate with TMPs In the development of their products (aimed at building confidence
between researchers & TMPs
5.2 ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSION
The allied profession task force was set up as a stopgap to provide some regulatory functions whilst
preparatory work in setting up a regulatory body to regulate the professional activities of the allied health
professions are completed. Its mandate includes collaborating with relevant agencies to standardize
training of allied health professionals in the country. It also works with other relevant organizations to
provide accreditation to qualified training institutions providing allied health programmes. It regulates
practice standards of professionals.
Planned activities include among others the development of guidelines for accrediting training institutions
and programs in collaboration with the National Accreditation Board. It also planned to initiate and
institutionalise Continuous Professional Development activities, which will be a pre-requisite for renewal of
professional license when registered. Data collection on existing training institutions and evaluation of e
training programs including curricula, facilities and Faculty Members were major plans for the year.
ACHIEVEMENTS
A total of 34 applications were received from training institutions for accreditation. Twenty applications
were reviewed and nine institutions were inspected. The board of the taskforce will meet to consider and
grant accreditation to deserving institutions. A start up kit for training institutions was developed for new
schools during the year. A workshop on curricula for allied health programs in the West African sub-region
was held. Application of the curricula will start after it has been adopted by ECOWAS Ministers of Health..
The allied health professions Bill was passed by parliament and is awaiting presidential accent.
5.3 FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
The following activities were planned for 2012:
• Accreditation as per ISO 17025 requirement
• Public education on food and medicine safety issues
• Training of industry in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Food Safety Management Systems
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