By Wallter Wilson Nana
Dr. Richard Fru, tradi-practitioner at the Dr Fru’s Garden of Eden International Healing & Research Foundation, Buea has stated that WHO is fully behind traditional medicine. He was addressing the press on the occasion of the 10th African Traditional Medicine Day (August 31) at his Garden of Eden premises.
Dr Fru presents one of his new medicines to the press
According to Dr. Fru, traditional medicine is the mother of all medicines across the world, saying all live on traditional medicine. He will add that WHO statistics hold that more than 80 percent of the world’s population depend on traditional medicine. “WHO has persistently invited member states to integrate traditional medicine into their National Health Systems and promote its use,” he said.
He mentioned that WHO authorises the promotion and the employment of aggressive publicity on traditional medicine, while castigating some pharmaceutical companies across the world for frustrating publicity on traditional medicine because they feel threatened when traditional medicines are advertised. “Imagine a situation whereby a desperate patient whose solution lies only with such a traditional doctor and has nobody who knows that doctor. Without communication, no one will have access to the most needed information. The Bible is a medium wherein God is made known to mankind. Is that advertisement?” Dr. Fru asked. He noted that the media drive on traditional medicine is intended to promote an idea or influence behaviour of patients and the society towards healthy living. “Imagined what would have happened to the population if there were no aggressive media campaigns against HIV/AIDS,” he mentioned.
Hostesses at Dr Fru's Garden offer a needy person
He expressed satisfaction on the increasing acceptance of traditional medicine in the world today, justifying this year’s theme; “African Traditional Medicine Day: What Impact?” To him, tradi-practitioners have joined WHO to alleviate human pain and suffering. “Traditional medicines work indirectly to revitalise the human system, to give vim and vitality and build the immune system,” he said.
He described traditional medicines as being spiritual and holistic, adding that they cannot be tested in the laboratory because traditional medicines do not kill a germ. “”Our medicines are geared towards building the immune system,” he explained.
He alluded that the traditional medicine like the Bible is based on tradition and the truth, while acknowledging there are also a lot of charlatans in the field.
He blamed a good portion of the society for being ignorant on so many things, noting that God uses the traditional healer to heal the society. “People must be knowledgeable on what we are doing,” he said.
Samples of some of the medicines produced by Dr Fru
He appealed for a strong collaboration between traditional practitioners and conventional doctors in Cameroon, citing some success stories of his collaboration with some conventional doctors in Cameroon, Ghana, France and Germany. “If there is no collaboration between the two, we cannot move the health sector forward,” he advised.
At the close of the press conference, Dr. Fru also offered gifts to some needy persons in Buea municipality and the presentation of his new medicines to the press corps. These included; Africa Energy Tea, Try-Me, Biodras, Neutractiva Gold Tea, Dr Fru’s Oil, Microbin 2011, Sourbitters, Anti-Oxy-Toxin, Tridesol and The Tea of Wisdom.
In the last AU Head of States meeting, the years 2011 – 2020 was declared second decade of traditional medicine with recommendation for member countries to develop the practice.
