African Traditional Medicine: Ooni Ogunwusi Advocates Stakeholders’ Collaboration On Research, Production

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwus has again called on governments, research institutions practitioners and private sectors to strengthen collaboration around traditional medicine research and production.

Oba Adeyeye expressed conviction that the stakeholders can work together to identify and expand access to safe, efficacious and quality traditional medicines to improve health and well-being and safe lives.

The monarch stated these in his palace while addressing newsmen on the occasion of the African Traditional Medicine Day, set aside to promote the important role of the continent’s rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and herbs in improving wellbeing.

He averred that the vast majority of people in the world rely on traditional medicine as their major source of healthcare as it is trusted, acceptable, accessible and affordable.

Ooni Ogunwusi described the African Traditional Medicine as a major inheritance of the black people which is capable of solving all medical, spiritual and other problems.

The Ooni who highlighted some of his contributions to the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic noted that traditional health practitioners played crucial role in preventive measures, management of symptoms and referral of COVID patients for timely care.

He said, “Recently, as part of my COVID 19 response, promising traditional therapies have emerged and are still emerging. The Ministry of Health through NAFDAC has approved over 40 herbal products for management of symptoms of covid 19 and immune boosters. Traditional health practitioners are at the forefront in covid 19 preventive measures, management of symptoms of covid 19 and referral of patients for timely care. With covid 19, there has been improved awareness of the values of traditional medicine.

“There is a great need to invest more on research and development in traditional medicine as this will contribute to harnessing home grown solutions to improve the well being of people in all parts of the World. Major pharmaceutical companies have produced herbal remedies and are looking for new active ingredients.

“Having the right partnership and investments , African Traditional Medicines would find broader global markets . World health Organization and other multilateral organizations are supporting capacity development in the traditional medicine sector and the development of local manufacturing.

He emphasised that with COVID 19, there have been improved awareness of the values of traditional medicine.

He commended president Muhammed Buhari for the approval and transmission of the Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2020 to the National Assembly and prayed for its eventually passage into law.

“We are waiting for the last process of making the important bill which has scaled though the first and second reading in the Parliament a law in Nigeria for the betterment of all.” Ooni Ogunwusi stated.