Oath of Allegiance

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

• I hereby solemnly swear and pledge that I will concentrate my life to the service of humanity and the noble profession I belong.
• I will dedicate my life to the highest possible level of performances, competence and care of the infirm or sick.
• I will not use my position, knowledge or influence for personal advantage or gains and  will not disparage the work of my colleagues.
• I will be objective and fear and put the patient / client best interest into consideration in the performance of my duty.
• I will continue to abide by the rules and regulations of the council and association.

That I make these promises solemnly freely upon my  honour.

So help me. 

                                                        INTRODUCTION

The Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine and the National Association of Physicians of Alternative Medicine is recognized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Dental Council Nigeria (MDCN) at the Council meeting on Thursday 16^th June, 2005 in Akure and been noted as an umbrella body of practitioners of Alternative Medicine in Nigeria (letter dated 7^th September 2005 Ref MDCN 1529/Vol 11).

OUR  ACTIVITIES

• Promotion of Alternative Medicine.
• Training and Retraining of Alternative Medicine Practitioners.
• Regulation and standardization of Alternative Medicine (by the MDCN Decree 1992).
• Collaborating with Training Institutions.
• Examination and certification of all level of practitioners
• Research and Development etc.
• Collaboration with relevant agencies

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Training and Retraining of Practitioners in Nigeria.
• Establishment of faculty/schools of Complementary and Alternative in Nigeria public and private tertiary institutions.
• Our members have served in various government and non government positions and appointments e.g. MDCN, NIPRID, Ministry of Health, Science and Technology etc.
• Collaboration with regulation agencies e.g. MDCN, MRTBN, NIPRID, NNMDA, NUC. NBTE etc.
• Collaboration with other association and stakeholders.

2.5. BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION

ONLY CURRENT REGISTERED MEMBERS.

• Are entitled to associate with the council on issues connected with training and practice of the professions.
• Will be allowed to participate in compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programmes i.e. conference, seminars and workshop, etc organized by the council
• Will be allowed to participate in matters related to the promotion of the  professionals under the council.
• Will have access to information on job opportunities available to members from the Board on range of professionals, Educational, Legal and Ethical matters.
• Will have access to information on job opportunities available locally and internationally and printed guideline on many topics.
• Are qualified to be members of professional bodies of relevant professional and eligible to join clinical interest and employments groups.
• Will be entitled to the Boards, journals, bulletin, badge, newsletters, professional code of ethics and practice etc.
• Have the right to practice his profession publicly or privately or otherwise in Nigeria shall have direct access to the Board’s website sequel to these aforementioned functions of the Council, it is expected of every practitioner to comply with the councils Standards on Conduct, Practice, Ethic and Values, and no person shall practice as a natural medicine practitioner in Nigeria except in accordance with the following regulations.

3. CORE STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY FOR PRACTITIONERS

3.1. Conditions for Registration

A person shall be qualified to register as a natural medicine practitioner in Nigeria if the following requirement are met.

• Must have graduated from professional training in an institution approved by the Council.
• Must have attended the pre-induction Seminar and passed the Board’s Examinations.
• Must have been induction by the council (NCPNM) into the relevant Profession.
• Must have undergo internship of twelve calendar months in an approved clinical setting (as applicable to the profession)
• Must have shown evidence of attendance of Continuing Professional Development (NPD) programs at least thirty (30) credit points in a year (for renewals only).
• Must be a holder of a previous professional/provisional practicing license.
• Must pay any application fee(s) as may be prescribed from time to time by the council.
• Be a good character.
• Must satisfy the condition as may be prescribed by the Board for an annual renewal of license.
• Any applicant that complies fully with the above mentioned requirements shall be issued a Certificate of Registration and is therefore qualified to use the protected titles ACPNM, MCPNM, FCPNM, DNM, BNM, MNM.
• No practitioner who is not registered as a full member should use the prefixes doctor.
• No practitioner who is not also trained and licenses to practice orthodox medicine should engage in the practices.
• No practitioner should practice of is competences and training. Any practitioner found guilty of this offense shall be expel from the council
• All practitioners must abide by all existing Government Medical/Health Regulation and Non Health Regulation of the Country.

3.2 Knowledge, Understanding and skill

Practitioner must

• Know the key concepts of the biological, physical, social, psychological and clinical sciences which are relevant to his profession.
• Know how professional principles are expressed and translated into action through a number of different  approaches to meet the needs of his clients.
• Have a basic qualification of a degree/diploma or equivalent qualification in natural medicine or in the relevant professional from an institution accredited by the council.
• Maintain at all times the highest standard of professional knowledge and display character that reflects credit to the profession.
• Be accountable for his work and take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his knowledge and professional competence.
• Avail himself o the opportunities provided by the Continuing Education Programmes of both the council and the Professional body to improve on his professional knowledge skill and competence.
• Understand the need to establish and maintain a safe practice environment.

3.3. Professional Relationship

Practitioner must:

• Obey lawful directives of his employers
• Disobey all directive considered unlawful whether from a professional point of view or other wise.
• Give genuine advice on all professional issues from time to time
• Refuse to train or give instructions to anybody or group who is not a member of Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine except students from council’s accredited institution.
• Maintain an exemplary lifestyle i.e. must not be involved in an infamous conduct and must be well dressed in and out of office.
• Must comply with the dress codes issued by the council while on duty or classrooms, seminar room, examination rooms or generally in a hospital’s environment. The dress code are as follows:

The white over-all shall be the standard dress code for both sexes and shall be won upon

• Shirts and ties on pair of trousers for males
• Smart tops e.g. blouses on below the knee but above the ankle skirts for females
• Small gowns for female
• Smart tops e.g. blouse or shirts on female –styled trousers.
• Not  demand for gifts, favour or hospitality from  a patients or relative of a patient who is to be or who has been in his  care as a condition for service.

• Not take alcohol, pollutants or tobacco or be under the  influence of narcotic drugs when on duty or likely to be  called on duty.
• Not abuse any privilege relationship with  patient or a  privilege accesses to his properties.
• Have due regard for the customs, values and religions belief of the patient.
• Comply with the laws of the country, state and local council where he works.
• Notify the council of any changes in his registration particulars within a reasonable time to enable the Board effect any necessary changes therein.

Practitioner provided that such a registrant: 

• Shall be adequately involved in policy making and management and
• The clinic is constructed and equipped to ensure high quality patient care

4. PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

4.1. Expectations of a Practitioner.

a. Be able to practice within the legal and ethical boundaries of his profession.

b. Be able to practice in a non-discriminatory manner.

c. Be able to exercise a professional duty of care

d. Be able to maintain confidentiality and obtain informed consents.

e. Know the professional and personal scope of his practice his/her limits and be able to make referrals (where and when necessary).

f. Recognise the need for effective self-management of  workload and be able to practice accordingly.

g. Understand the obligation to maintain fitness to practice.

4.2 Professional Attributes

Practitioners must:

• Be  able to work, where appropriate, in partnership with other professional’s support staff, patients, and other relatives and careers.
• Be able to contribute effectively to work undertaken as part of multi disciplinary team.
• Understand the need for effective communication throughout the care of the patient.
• At all times respect the rights and dignity of a patient.
• Keep himself informed or developments within his profession.
• Be able to refuse a treat a patient, if following assessment such refusal is deemed to be in the patient best interest and particularly when such treatment is contra-indicated.

4.3 Professional Responsibilities 

Practitioner must:

• Co-operate with one another to maintain and enhance standard of the profession.
• Report any unethical, incompetence or illegal practice to the appropriate professional authorities i.e. the council or professional body.
• Must not support, endorse or promote the sale of goods related to the treatment of the patients while in clinical practice.
• Not advertise for the purpose of obtaining patients or promoting his own professional advantage, but notification of practice arrangement in the press is permissible.
• Registrant may use the media to inform the public of practice arrangements and validated qualifications from time to time.
• Practitioner may write to Registrar Nigerian Council of Physician of Natural Medicine organizations in order to draw their attention to his name, address and qualifications or to the fact that his service is available.
• Contribute to the planning and development of service which enable individuals to achieve optimum health.

5. THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.

5.1 Identification and Assessment of Health and Social Care Needs

Practitioner must

• Be able to gather appropriate information
• Be able to use appropriate assessment techniques.
• Be able to undertake or arrange clinical investigations as appropriate
• Be able to analyze and evaluate information collected.