The Chairman of the Osun Health Insurance Agency, OHIA, Dr Muyiwa Oladimeji, has expressed strong reservations about faith-based and traditional medical practices, stating that such treatments often lack scientific documentation and proper monitoring.

Speaking at the 49th edition of The Frontliners organised by the League of Veteran Journalists, LVJ, in Osogbo on Wednesday, Dr Oladimeji emphasised the need for transparency and scientific validation in all forms of healthcare delivery.

According to him, “Some of the tradomedical experts don’t want to reveal the secrets behind their remedies. Faith-based treatment without bias doesn’t follow the established pattern of medical treatment.”

He noted that while some of these alternative practitioners make bold claims about their methods, they often resist scrutiny or fail to provide evidence to support their treatments.

“It is not possible for me to accept that, but it would have been easier for cooperation between tradomedical practitioners if they were regulated and monitored,” Dr Oladimeji said.

He added, “Almost everything is allowed in our society, but in a civilised environment, if someone preaches that one remedy can treat different ailments, that person would go to jail.”

Dr Oladimeji stated that while scientific medicine is not without its limitations, it remains the most reliable system because of its openness to evaluation and improvement.

“Scientific medicine is not all perfect, but we do accept limitations which are not found in faith-based treatment. Nobody takes seriously any treatment that is not documented. I may disappoint some people, but without apology, I can’t be convinced to accept faith-based and tradomedical treatments,” he said.

The OHIA Chairman also explained that the agency had made significant contributions which had been employed by the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, adding that some of the methods developed by OHIA had been adopted by the national body.

He clarified the agency’s operational procedure, stating that OHIA does not select hospitals arbitrarily.

“The hospital must first indicate interest before we go for inspection. The hospitals apply to be an OHIA agent,” he explained.

Dr Oladimeji added that OHIA consistently monitors accredited hospitals and has, on several occasions, withdrawn accreditation from facilities that failed to meet the required standards.

On the issue of medical tourism, the OHIA Chairman admitted that poor equipment and under funding in public hospitals often force Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.

He lamented that both state and federal governments had left undone several critical interventions needed in the health sector.

“Many of the equipment in our public hospitals is not functional. I will go abroad again for medical treatment because my children don’t want their father to die.

“There is no way the state can cope. Some equipment that the state government cannot afford in the public hospitals should be provided by the federal government. They should be magnanimous to equip their teaching hospitals,” he urged.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the League of Veteran Journalists, Smollett Adetoyese Shittu-Alamu, said the 49th edition of The Frontliners was organised to inspire younger journalists and uphold professionalism in the media industry.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Kole Esho, commended the League for its dedication to mentoring young journalists, especially in the area of investigative reporting, and encouraged members to take on advisory roles to strengthen the profession.

Osun Health Insurance boss decries alternative medicine, advocates hospitals upgrade