By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Native doctors in Anambra State have pledged to partner with the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led government to enable the administration achieve its objectives, particularly in regulating their members and checking fake practitioners.

This they stated during an interactive session with the members of the Anambra State House of Assembly in Awka on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the group, Chief Innocent Okwundu, described the new Anambra security law that established the Agunechemba security outfit as a welcome development aimed at ensuring the safety of all genuine practitioners and residents of the state.

Okwundu ,said: "We have pledged to collaborate with the State Assembly to ensure that all grey areas are addressed and clarified to prevent unnecessary intimidation and exploitation, particularly in rural communities.

"Once this is achieved, it will enable us to assist the government in identifying individuals who have corrupted traditional practices through unacceptable means.

"Our members, under the Anambra State Traditional Doctors Movement, are genuinely practicing without engaging in activities like “Okeite” or money rituals, which have been associated with many quacks."

The native Doctors numbering about 1,000, both male and female, attended the session with lawmakers.

They further appealed to the lawmakers to work toward enacting a law that would guarantee their independence and smooth operations.

On his part, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze, after listening to their concerns and highlighting the benefits of the new Anambra Security Law, assured that the current administration and lawmakers are committed to the welfare of the people.

Mr. Udeze, represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme, said that a bill is already in progress to address most of the grey areas raised by the association.

He expressed hope that once the law is in place, it will foster synergy and cooperation between the government and traditional doctors in the state.

While saying that the registration of practitioners by the state government is free of charge, the Speaker cautioned community leaders against exploiting the situation to extort people, warning that the government will not tolerate such actions and will not hesitate to take strong action against anyone caught.