Primary health care is a whole-of-society approach to health and well-being centred on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. It addresses the broader determinants of health and focuses on the comprehensive and interrelated aspects of physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.
It provides whole-person care for health needs throughout the lifespan, not just for a set of specific diseases. Primary health care ensures people receive comprehensive care – ranging from promotion and prevention to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care – as close as feasible to people’s everyday environment
The goal of Health for All by the year 2000 cannot be achieved without the involvement of the care provided by the Complementary and Alternative Medicine for which Herbal medicine( phytotherapy) is the champion.
The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 emerged as a major milestone of the twentieth century in the field of public health, and it identified primary health care as the key to the attainment of the goal of Health for All by the year 2000.
The Medical Herbalist( Herbal Medical officer) like any other physician focuses on diagnosis, treating, and preventing ailments. However, the difference has to do with the therapeutic agent which are employed after final diagnosis is reached. While the Orthodox trained medical officer focuses on using Orthodox medicines for treating and managing diseases, that of the Medical Herbalist employs scientifically validated and approved medications prepared in appropriate dosage forms for managing disease and conditions.
They also involved in counseling. The Medical Herbalist in its role councils patients on diet, adherence to therapy( compliance), lifestyle modifications, and strong caution to desist from self-medication as is the usual habit of some people. The Medical Herbalist perspective on the health approach also involves preventing the occurrence of diseases. As such the key areas they focus on primary prevention is advice on a good diet, the need to be physically active, and engage in exercises.
According to the definition of Health by the World Health Organisation, Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Preamble to the Constitution of WHO as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19 June – 22 July 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of WHO, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. The definition has not been amended since 1948. The Medical Herbalist Focuses on this definition by not taking care of the disease aspect alone but also gives attention to equally important parameters mentioned in the definition. They give emotional support when necessary. In extreme cases, they assist their patients with finances if it was found out that the root of the patients’ disease has to do with money.
The Medical Herbalist becomes the official person to contact for help whenever toxicity by any plant is suspected. They are able to tell the compounds found in the plant which may be responsible for the suspected toxicity in other to aid prompt treatment.
As part of their profession, the Medical Herbalist liaise with other health professionals in determining the best choice of treating a complicated disease condition. One way is by referring clients with complicated disease cases to a physician specialist; endocrinologists, psychiatrist, Gyaenecologist, surgeon, etc when the need arises.
Talk to any Medical Herbalist near you for assistant or contact an approved herbal clinic and Government hospital and ask to see the medical Herbalist.
Author
Mr. Samuel Odoom
Medical Herbalist Intern
Centre for Plant Medicine Research
Reference
https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions
Retrieved on 26th December, 2020 at 11:48GMT
