The Institutionalization, Education, and Clinical Practice of Acupuncture in Non-Asian Developing Countries

A Case Study of Nigeria

Abstract

Traditional medicine has been deeply rooted in Nigerian society since before the introduction of Western medicine and remains in use by approximately 60-80% of the population. In accordance with World Health Organization guidelines, the government has been working to institutionalize traditional medicine and has legally recognized traditional and alternative medicine practitioners as part of the national health system. However, the federal government has not institutionalized it at the national level due to the absence of laws regulating and controlling traditional and alternative medicine.　The law explicitly recognizes acupuncture as an alternative therapy, and higher education institutions offer specialized acupuncture training, along with practitioner licensing and registration. However, there are no national guidelines for acupuncture education, clinical practice, or licensure, and no regulatory laws have been enacted by the government.　Regulation and management of alternative and traditional medicine practitioners, such as acupuncturists, is carried out by the state through enactment of state laws. In order to legally practice, practitioners are required to be certified and registered by the relevant regulatory agencies. However, the regulatory framework, including the method of implementation and licensing requirements, varies from state to state.　In conventional medicine, national guidelines classify acupuncture as a non-pharmacological treatment for pain.　Physical therapists who complete six years of specialized education are able to receive acupuncture training as part of the annual continuing professional development program required for license renewal.　They provide acupuncture as one of their treatment methods. However, the role of acupuncture as a therapeutic modality for physical therapists remains largely unrecognized.　To integrate acupuncture into the national healthcare system as an alternative medicine, the government must standardize acupuncture practice and enact regulatory laws.　 Additionally, the roles of acupuncturists and existing medical professionals, such as physical therapists, must be clearly defined, along with the positioning of acupuncture within the healthcare system.