The State Minister of Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called on the Nigerian Traditional Medicine Association to unite under a single umbrella to strengthen and support the traditional medicine profession in Nigeria and across Africa.
Dr. Alausa made this appeal during the 2024 African Traditional Medicine Day Celebration held in Abuja, with the theme ‘Support the Provision of Quality and Safe Traditional Medicine through Appropriate Regulatory Mechanism.’
During his address, Dr. Alausa highlighted the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide adequate support for the development and regulation of traditional medicine in Nigeria.
‘Bringing practitioners together under one entity would facilitate better oversight and foster growth in the sector,’ he said.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Professor Martins Emeje, noted that Nigeria is rich in natural medicinal resources, but these resources are not being fully utilized.
Pro
f. Emeje stressed the importance of proper regulation and testing, pointing out that countries like China and India have advanced in their use of traditional medicine through stringent laboratory testing and certification processes.
Prof Emeje expressed optimism that with the current efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria could soon be recognized globally for its safe and natural traditional medicine offerings.
In her remarks, the Deputy Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Vatika Rawat, called for greater collaboration between Nigeria and India to enhance the quality and effectiveness of traditional medicine. She noted that both nations could benefit from sharing knowledge and best practices in the field.
Dr. Shana Maikudi, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners, expressed concerns about the fragmentation within the associations, which has led to the proliferation of various factions.
He urged members to come together under a single b
ody to advance the interests and development of traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria and beyond.
The event concluded with the launch of a new book titled ‘Nigerian Essential Medicinal Plants List by Dr. Alausa.’
The book aims to serve as a guide for practitioners and the general public, providing insights into the identification and recommended use of medicinal plants in Nigeria.
This call for unity and regulatory enhancement marks a significant step towards advancing traditional medicine in Nigeria, aligning it with global standards, and ensuring the safety and quality of traditional medicinal products for all Nigerians.
Source: Voice of Nigeria