Aesthetic Medicine Practitioners Seek Government Regulation to Curb Quackery
Mary Nnah
The Association of Practitioners of Spa and Medical Aesthetics of Nigeria (APSMAN) has issued a clarion call to the federal government to establish a regulatory board for aesthetic medicine practitioners. This move aims to sanitise the industry, promote professionalism, and ensure client safety.
Speaking at the Aesthetics Industry Award, Dinner, and Graduation Party in Lagos recently, the president of APSMAN, Dr. Felix Avajah, said the lack of regulation has led to the proliferation of quacks, who have destroyed the skins and lives of many clients.
“When there is a full standard board, it will regulate the industry,” Avajah emphasised. “We need a Board of Regulation for Aesthetic Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria to regulate the profession.
“The establishment of a regulatory board for aesthetic medicine practitioners is a crucial step towards promoting professionalism, safety, and industry standards,” Avajah said, adding, “We stand for standardisation, professionalism, good ethics, and education. We believe strongly in education and regulation”, he said.
The association’s efforts have yielded positive results, with 126 medical aesthetics graduates from the Federal College of Education, Akoka, and Lagos State College of Health Technology, Yaba, receiving their diplomas. Avajah advised the graduates to know their limits and ensure clients’ safety.
In addition to regulation, Avajah also emphasised the importance of collaboration between spa, aesthetic, and herbal medicine practitioners. “It is time for the spa and aesthetics industry to work with herbal medicine practitioners to promote wellness,” he said.
The demand for aesthetic medicine is on the rise, driven by the increasing demand for non-invasive, effective, and safe treatments. However, this growing demand has also highlighted the need for standardisation and regulation.
As Professor Raheem Olasupo Akewushola, Provost of the Lagos State College of Health Technology, noted, “The demand for these services is growing due to the rising trend of invasive treatments.”
APSMAN has taken steps to address this issue by partnering with government-accredited institutions, such as the Lagos State College of Health Technology, to establish academic qualifications that pave the way for industry regulation.
The association has also emphasized the importance of education and certification in the industry, with a minimum of two years of study required for aesthetic medicine.
Dr. Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Lagos’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, also stressed the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in advancing the field.
His words: “Looking good and staying healthy are fundamental aspects of wellness,” he said. “Wellness is not only about appearance but also about inner health, which manifests externally.”
The call for regulation has been echoed by other stakeholders in the industry. Ronke Agoro, deputy provost (academic) at Lagos State College of Health Technology, noted that the institution’s partnership with APSMAN has helped to promote professionalism and safety in the industry.
As the demand for aesthetic medicine continues to grow, it is imperative that the Nigerian government takes action to establish a regulatory board for aesthetic medicine practitioners. This will not only promote professionalism and safety but also ensure that clients receive high-quality services that meet international standards.
Furthermore, the establishment of a regulatory board will help to eliminate quackery, promote education and certification, and ensure that practitioners operate within a framework that prioritizes client safety and well-being.
The regulation of aesthetic medicine practitioners is a critical step towards promoting professionalism, safety, and industry standards in Nigeria. The establishment of a regulatory board will help to eliminate quackery, promote education and certification, and ensure that clients receive high-quality services that meet international standards.
