AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE DAY: OONI CALLS FOR MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Moses Olafare

The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II has advocated for massive investment in research and development of African Medicine. 

Ooni stated this on Tuesday at a World Press Conference held at his Ile Oodua, the Palace in commemoration this Year's African Traditional Medicine Day, held on the 31st of August, every year.

Addressing newsmen after a brief introduction by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, Ooni Ogunwusi who is the spiritual leader of the prestigious Yoruba race, 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 monarch who called on Nigerians particularly sons and daughters of Oduduwa to join in the promotion of the African Traditional Medicine, added that herbs and roots are of unbeatable efficacy globally.

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.

"The progress achieved in the second decade of African Traditional Medicine include development of policy framework in 8 African countries, community mobilization aimed at raising awareness on the value of traditional medicine and building capacities of researchers, traditional health practitioners and regulatory authorities, through training in partnership with WHO and Centre for Disease Control. Last year , a regional expert advisory committee for covid 19 was launched. The objective was to accelerate the pace of research by supporting countries to collaborate on clinical trials of traditional medicine in line with international standards.

"As a great custodian of African tradition, l responded to the covid 19 preventive measures by building locally fabricated fumigator which uses the fog method of  dispensing the disinfectant to disinfect the environment. I donated two fumigators each to the 36 states in Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory , Abuja. In addition, I produced herbal remedies; Verozil to boost immunity and manage symptoms of viral infections especially covid 19  and Rio Bitter Leaf to boost immunity and detoxify the body. 

"These herbal drugs have been tried and tested and are among the 40 drugs registered by NAFDAC last year. I also developed an Intiative, Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD) which was launched during the celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day ,last year , August 31st, 2020. 

"Objectives of the foundation are in accordance with the goal of African Traditional Medicine; creating a platform for promotion and growth of African Traditional Medicine, support conduct of research and development of traditional medicine and initiate & support policies, laws and regulations for the growth of African Traditional Medicine. The foundation has a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) and is in strong collaboration with NAFDAC."

On the level of success recorded through his advocacy over the years, Ooni Ogunwusi lauded the Federal Government for approving the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2020 for onward transmission to the National Assembly and  speedy passage to 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." The Ooni added.