Buhari Tasked on Traditional Medicine
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), HRH, Chief Omon Oleabhiele, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a Personal Assistant on Traditional Medicine Matters since about 80 per cent of Nigerians patronise its system of healthcare.
Oleabhiele, who made the charge at the 13th African Traditional Medicine Day, organised by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Lagos, said this was necessary because of the increased reliance on traditional medicine by Nigerians.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry Science and Technology to also create the department of traditional medicine in their various ministries, adding that, traditional doctors should also be employed to work there with other Nigerians in order to contribute their quota to the enhancement of healthcare in the country.
“Government should also create Traditional Medicine Board in all the states of the federation for effective regulation of traditional medicine practise.
“Beside the fact that herbal medicine is used in the country by both Nigerians and foreigners for curative purposes, there is so much more the country can gain from it. In the future, traditional medicine will benefit Nigeria more than crude oil,” he added.
In his speech, the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Drug Evaluation and Research, Mrs. Titilope Owolabi, said traditional medicine has remained a main source of healthcare for about 80 per cent of the population in developing countries because of its cultural acceptability, adding that, in the last few years, there have been an upsurge of interest in the use of traditional medicine in developed countries.
He, however stated that, even with its growing popularity, the primary concern was whether it was safe. “Safety is the starting point in evaluation of traditional medicine and procedures. Reports of patients experiencing negative health consequences caused by the use of herbal medicine are on the rise, thus the role of NAFDAC as a regulatory agency in this regard cannot be over emphasized,” he said.
According to him, owing to the complexities of herbs in particular, it was essential that they were subjected to rigorous scientific evaluations like conventional medicines in order to guarantee their safety, quality and efficacy.
“The agency is therefore vested with the responsibility of ensuring that all drugs and pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use, including herbal medicines that are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised and sold in Nigeria are certified and registered in accordance with the Drugs and Related Products Registration Decree. All regulated herbal medicines must conform to acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy,” the DG added.