National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners

THE CODE OF ETHICS
OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS
(NANTMP)

The Code of Ethics covering NANTMP practitioner is the underlying value that influences and directs the behavior and conduct of Member practitioners. The Code of Ethics involves such principles as, honor, integrity, conscientiousness, caring, confidentiality, respect, honesty, impeccability and excellence. These principles and values underlie the following rules:

Clients
1. Every Practitioner member must conduct their consultations with care and mindfulness of the clients’ health needs.

2. Practitioner member are bound to behave with courtesy, respect, dignity, discretion, tact and empathy in their association with clients.

3. Practitioner member shall not discriminate against any client on the basis of their religious, spiritual, political and social views; and will give the best care possible regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, economic or social status.

4. Practitioner members have the right to refuse to accept an individual as a client for personal or professional reasons or limitations.

5. Practitioner member will recognize that their clients have individual needs and will respect the client's right to make informed choices regarding their own health care
.
6. Practitioner members will acknowledge limits of their individual scope of practice and refer when appropriate.

7. Practitioner members, with the permission of their client, shall cooperate with other health care professionals for the benefit and well-being of their client.

8. Practitioner member will hold all personal information gathered during consultations in strict confidence unless legally required to do otherwise or directed by the client in writing.
9. Practitioner member will ask the clients’ permission before engaging in any form of practice that requires physical contact.
10. Professional herbalists will refrain from unscrupulous and/or exploitative behaviour towards clients.

11. Practitioner shall dress appropriately and professionally.
Sexual Conduct

12. Practitioner member will not use their professional position to seek sexual encounters with clients.

13. Where it appears that a client is making sexual advances, it is the duty of the Practitioner member not to encourage the client and to clarify the relationship.

Herbs

14. Practitioner member shall strive to obtain, use and administer herbs of the highest quality, which have been properly identified and prepared.

15. Whenever possible, Practitioner member shall strive to be well informed and ensure that herbal medicines used are grown and harvested using sustainable and ethical methods.

16. Whenever possible, Practitioner member should not knowingly recommend plant medicines derived from genetically modified organisms or other questionable processing or growing techniques.
Conservation & Earth

17. Practitioner member should not use herbs or herbal products derived from any wild species known to be threatened or endangered and encourage the cultivation of these species when appropriate.

18. Whenever possible, Practitioner member should seriously consider the issue of animal research and testing in their choice of herbal products.

Other Professionals

19. Practitioner member shall respect other herbalists and practitioners of other disciplines.

20. Practitioner member shall not denigrate or criticize other health professionals in public or to their clients.

21. Practitioner member shall not solicit clients from another member.

22. Practitioner member are encouraged to exchange ideas and information with other member for the purpose of enhancing understanding and knowledge within the field of herbalism and other form of therapies or treatment.

23. Practitioner member are encouraged to pass on their knowledge, experience and ethical principles and practices to future generations of practitioners.

The Public

24. Practitioner member, when representing their profession, will endeavor to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

25. Practitioner member are encouraged to contribute to the advancement and awareness of Traditional medicine.

26. Practitioner member shall not promote their services in a manner which will negatively affect the reputation of PRACTICE.

27. Practitioner member shall accurately represent their qualifications.

28. Upon request, Practitioner member shall provide full disclosure of their credentials.