World Acupuncture Awareness Day: Medical experts endorse procedure for treatment of diseases

The former dean, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and immediate past Chairperson, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu has said acupuncture is globally accepted and good enough.

Speaking as the guest lecturer at the 2023 World Acupuncture Awareness Day, hosted by The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos State, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, Prof. Adefule-Ositelu affirmed the significance of acupuncture in promoting health and well-being.

The event, held last Thursday, centered around the theme: ‘The Role of Religion in the Common Good of the Medical and Health Profession; most especially the Clinical Acupuncturists.’

The Guardian reports that acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which has gained widespread recognition in treating a variety of ailments. The technique involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, aiming to stimulate the natural healing processes and restore balance to the flow of energy.

She said: “What we are trying to drive for is that health is wealth, so anything that will bring you health, make you comfortable, give you a quality lifetime, we always promote and acupuncture is one of them. In 2022 when I was the chairman of Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, we accommodated them and in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is part of tradition, but it is more Chinese.

“It’s alternative to what we have here and it’s effective, very good wherever they are developing, from the head right down to the foot. There’s no specialty that acupuncture cannot address. Apart from anything that will make you go in and do open surgery, acupuncture comes in and gives quality life time to people. So, we are encouraging them. We know we still need to create more awareness and do more advocacy because it’s something that is acceptable.

“It is globally accepted and good enough. We are also blessed with so many natural medicinal plants and products that they can use in
combination with the needles to give our people better health. So, we are encouraging them.”

Chairman, Nigerian Association of Clinical Acupuncturists (NACA), Dr. Edison Christian, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to practising acupuncture and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consider its inclusion in health policies.

Dr. Christian called for the incorporation of clinical acupuncture into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Ilera Eko Health Insurance Policy, emphasising its potential to generate significant
revenue for the country.

He remarked, “Acupuncture is peculiar to the Chinese people, but I
can boldly tell you that we are equally doing very well here in Nigeria.
We have been able to heal so many people through acupuncture, and the
world is watching.