Background: The issue of vaccination in the COVID -19 pandemic has become a controversial topic in Ghana. Vaccination and Naturopathy are analogous as enshrined in public health principles, and Naturopathic students study public health as a discipline. However, there are many people in Ghana who refer to themselves as Naturopathic Doctors but do not believe in Naturopathy embracing public health tenets such as vaccination. Are vaccines naturopathy as well? Objectives: This case study examines knowledge and awareness of vaccines in Naturopathic practice amongst Naturopathic Medical Students in Ghana. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative approach using a drafted questionnaire to collect primary data from the respondents for the study. The questionnaire entailed a set of questions administered to about ten (10) respondents. The respondents in this study were selected Naturopathic Medical Students of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine, Ghana. Results: The Naturopathic medical students unanimously agreed that vaccines are part of the Naturopathic profession, and are in line with Naturopathic principles. Interestingly, out of the 10 respondents, only one took the COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana representing. The remaining, however, expressed interest in taking the jab; but are monitoring the side effects for a while before they take a final decision on the vaccine. Conclusion: There is sufficiently good knowledge and understanding on vaccines in the practice of Naturopathy by the Naturopathic Medical students. The respondents understood that, vaccines are part of the practice of Naturopathy and public health in general and thus, are not against public health protocols in global pandemic.

Background: In juxtaposing Naturopathy to Public health, there is the tendency that, one would find similarities between the two systems of medical practices. For instance, Public health engages health education, promotion and many others. These are intertwined with the naturopathic principles as well. This study therefore evaluates whether there is a link between Naturopathy and Public Health practices from the perspective of Naturopathic Medical Students as well as their knowledge and understanding of both Public Health and Naturopathy using a qualitative study. Methods: A qualitative descriptive drafted questionnaire was sent to ten (10) Second Year Diploma in Naturopathic Medical Students through WhatsApp at the Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine, Tema, Community, 7, Ghana. The students have also studied Public health as a component of their Naturopathy program. Their feedbacks were abstracted and analyzed thematically. Findings: The significant statements extracted from their feedbacks emphasized their knowledge and understanding on both Naturopathy and Public health issues. They explained that, juxtaposing the principles that existed in Naturopathic profession as well as public health, the two professions are intertwined. Conclusion: Public health is indeed embedded in naturopathic principles. This is because in public health, the core function is defined as the science of protecting, preventing and promotion of the health of the people and their communities. It is also governed by some principles such as empowerment, counseling, collaboration and education. Hence, given the definition and principles that governs public health and naturopathy; one can argue that, public health is deeply rooted in naturopathy as a whole.

Radio Naturopathy is a new term I coined in Ghana for those unqualified people who claim to be knowledgeable in naturopathy; frequent radio and other media houses to educate public on health issues. They mostly read health information from books and other online portals to cement their arguments. They demean conventional and public health practices in an era where the promotion of integration is being advocated. They further advertise their services to the general public to attend their naturopathic clinics. I have taken the best of my time to listen to most of them as well as the kind of health information and the danger it possesses to the healthcare industry in Ghana. However, the ignorant public assesses their services as they believe in these so called ‘Radio Naturopaths’. They bombard the public and further call themselves “Doctors” as well. I have observed that, the media landscape in Ghana is a big problem in the development of modern Naturopathy. Additionally, weak regulatory mechanism is another problem we are faced with in Ghana if we are to succeed in development of modern Naturopathy. In other to weed out those unqualified radio naturopaths in Ghana; we need to develop a good standard in the profession of Naturopathy to meet International best practices.

Background: Naturopathic medicine is currently undergoing revolution in Ghana as a result of the establishment of the Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine. The purpose of this establishment is to train Naturopaths and Naturopathic Doctors in Ghana. Objectives: This study evaluates the qualitative aspect of Naturopathic Medicine in primary healthcare delivery from the perspective of Naturopathic care givers in Ghana. Methods: This study is qualitative in nature and aims at examining the pull factors that drive consumers to Naturopathic medicine in Ghana. The study also assesses clients’ push factors from mainstream medicine. Results: Respondents opined that, though, Naturopathic medicine is an integral part of the healthcare delivery system in Ghana; there are a plethora of challenges that need immediate attention. Conclusion: Naturopathic remedies are integral parts of the Ghanaian healthcare delivery system and there is therefore the need for robust healthcare policy to help regulate the Naturopathic profession to aid integration in the healthcare system.

Background: Spirituality is paramount in the life of the Ghanaian patient seeking for healing. Most of them end up in the Prayer camps seeking the face of God. Today, there are many Naturopathic practitioners in Ghana who have incorporated prayer activities in their services. Majority of these practitioners are also Pastors. We intend to examine the role of prayer in Naturopathic Profession, using Ghana as a case model. Objectives: This study evaluates the qualitative aspect of the efficacy of prayer as a form of Naturopathic protocol incorporated by practitioners of naturopathy in their healthcare delivery. Methods: This is a qualitative study which incorporated a drafted open-ended questionnaire sent via WhatsApp to thirty (30) Naturopathic practitioners with pastoral backgrounds who are members of the Ghana Association of Naturopathic Physicians (GANP) in their various Naturopathic facilities with pastoral services. Results: Naturopathic practitioners opined that, patients seek the services of prayer from their centers as a complementary therapy, as part of their therapeutic order protocol. Others also explained that patients also seek the services of prayer as a standard treatment for their medical conditions. Conclusion: We observed that, effective prayer plays an integral role in the healing process of the sick patient. Prayer is often used by practitioners of Naturopathy as a complementary therapy and not as standard treatment therapy.

Background: In Ghana, Naturopathy education and practice is relatively new with the Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine currently being the leader and crusader of promoting modern Naturopathic medicine. This study explored the perception about Naturopathic Medicine on the part of Naturopathic Medical Students prior to enrolling to study modern Naturopathy at the Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine as well as their recent perception as advanced students. Methods: A qualitative descriptive drafted questionnaire was sent to ten (10) Second Year Diploma in Naturopathic Medical Students through WhatsApp. The students were on their clinical Clerkship at the Tema General Hospital. Their feedbacks were abstracted and analyzed thematically. Findings: The significant statements extracted from their feedbacks produced two main themes relating to Naturopathy prior to enrolling to study Naturopathy; i. They thought Naturopathy was just about herbal medicine as pertains to the Ghanaian jurisdiction; ii. Naturopathy has a narrow scope of practice with no science. Post enrolling; they opined that; i. Naturopathy is more than using herbal medicine, ii. Naturopathy is jurisdictional. Conclusion: They have come to the realization that; modern Naturopathy is not what they perceived it to be before enrolling to study at Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine. They further understand that, Naturopathy is the general practice of evidence based natural medicines. Those who thought they knew Naturopathy before enrolling, have practically realized that, they were in the dark then.