Reps Urge Government to Support Natural Medicine

The members of the House of Representatives in Lagos have called for increased government support to develop natural medicine in Nigeria.

Speaking during a working visit of the committee members to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Department Agency (NNMDA), the chairman, house committee on science and technology, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, said with thousands of medicinal plants in the country, the sector needs only a push to become better than countries such as China and India.

The chairman noted that China is proud of their traditional medicine not because of the various types of plants they have, but because of the attention given to it by their government.

“If federal government will give same attention to the country’s traditional medicine, it will not only cure but create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Akinlade further called for more awareness on herbal products with a view to changing Nigerians’ perception of herbal products.

Observing the House of Representative on delay of passage of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency’s Bill, he said it would be given speedy passage if immediately returned to the House before close of session.

Director of the Agency, Mr Tibuomi Okujagu who disclosed that the Agency has produced a tea bag that is capable of eliminating plasmodium from the body within 48 hours, said the Agency is currently developing a herbal combination therapy for treatment of malaria.

Okujagu said development of natural medicine is a collective challenge, adding that it is something that affects everybody.

He stated that it is also something that can contribute to wealth creation, job creation and this takes collective responsibility and effort to address.

“We need serious support on issues of awareness, bringing people together” he added.