Accra: The Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC) has launched a digital infrastructure for easy registration and expedited licensing for its members. The digital infrastructure, which consists of a website, online portal, and a new payment system, will allow practising and prospective practitioners to register and obtain licenses using mobile phones or computers without visiting the offices of the Council. According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Michael Kyerematen, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TMPC, stated that the initiative would revamp the sector and curb delays in the issuance of licenses and certificates for practitioners and premises. He emphasized that the innovation would bring about easy accessibility, reducing the waiting time for license issuance from several months to a much faster process. Dr. Kyerematen noted that the digital system would also strengthen the regulation of TMPC's services to ensure compliance with the qualifications required for practitioners. The Tradition al Medicine Act 2000 (575) regulates traditional medicine practices, registers practitioners, licenses practices, and oversees the preparation and sale of herbal medicines. Professionals such as homeopathic clinic operators, chiropractors, bone setters, herbalists, psychics, and traditional birth attendants are regulated under this Act. Ms. Adelaide Ntim, Deputy Minister of Health, in a speech read on her behalf, highlighted how the current digitalisation drive in the country had positively impacted various sectors, including financial inclusion, health outcomes, and education. She acknowledged the challenges faced in deploying information systems in public sector organizations due to norms, culture, and regulatory issues. Ms. Ntim emphasized the Ministry's efforts to deploy policies and strategies to support technology adoption, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and enhance service delivery. Mr. Daniel Nsiah, Deputy Financial Controller at the Ministry of Health, encouraged staff and stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing the importance of judicious use of funds for its intended purpose. He assured the Council of his support through Quality Assurance services. Mr. Sita Suleman, Head of Information Technology at TMPC, mentioned that the Council was piloting the initiative. He reported successful data transfer from manual to digital forms, capturing 1,405 health practitioners and 1,203 premises, with 500 members vetted and in good standing. The Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine was established within the Ministry of Health in 1992. The Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575) was enacted in 2000, with its Secretariat set up in 2004 to prepare for the Council's eventual constitution and inauguration on 9th April 2010. This set the stage for the legal promotion, education, development, regulation, and control of Traditional and Alternative Medical Practice in Ghana. Source: Ghana News Agency