Soc Sci Med. 1985 ; 20(1): 67-9.

Mobilizing indigenous resource for primary health care in Nigeria: a note on the place of traditional medicine.

Oyeneye OY.

Noting the challenges posed by the goal of health For All by the Year 2000, this paper re-echoes the need to mobilize traditional medicine for Primary Health Care in Nigeria. The paper points to the inadequacy of modern health facilities and the obstacles that stand in the way of providing enough modern health facilities to meet the demand of Nigeria's population by the year 2000. It is observed that traditional medicine offers an alternative model not only because it is relatively inexpensive both to the practitioners and patients who often settle their bills in kind or cash but also because of its acceptability among Nigerians. Finally, it is suggested that government and traditional medical practitioners should cooperate for it is in this way that the practice of traditional medicine can be improved and the practitioners encouraged to add Primary Health Care activities to the repertoire.