The Dynamics and Changing Structure of Traditional Healing System in Nigeria

Traditional medicine had existed in Nigeria prior to the era of colonialism serving the health needs of the people. However with the advent of colonialism, it experienced restrictions and obstacles in the face of the introduction of Western medicine. In recent time, the practice got a resurgence and greater patronage by the people due to its ability to explain the ‘hidden’ cause of illness and consequently, cure the illness. This paper accounts for this renewed patronage of traditional medicine by the people by locating it in the ability of its practitioners to respond to their environment of practice. This entails a conscious restructuring and ‘modernising’ efforts at alligning its practice with current trends in orthordox practice by establishing standards of safety, efficacy and quality control. This is coupled with government recent interest in developing traditional medicine for national health system development and economic benefits.