The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) has urged Nigerian schools to add traditional medicine to their curriculum to enable Nigerians to develop an interest in homemade medicine.
The Permanent Secretary, Mrs Monilola Udoh said this when the Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (NTMPA) paid her a courtesy visit in her office today in Abuja. Monilola Udoh stated that traditional medicine if properly developed will not only eliminate medical tourism but will be a great source of revenue generation for Nigeria. She further said that the development of traditional medicine would improve the scientific, research and innovation sector in Nigeria.
Udoh noted that traditional medicine is pure, undiluted, and organic natural medicine provided by God and will be an alternative medicine to Nigerians, adding that traditional medicine should be included in the school curriculum to avail the children of its importance in our health and national growth.
She assured the association of the Ministry’s support and advised them to document as much as possible and store data for posterity so that students can study and continue their research in the future.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation Plateau state, Honourable Gyang Dung Musa noted that traditional medicine is already of immense benefit to Nigerians. Gyang Musa called on the Federal Government to remove the Association from the Federal Ministry of Health and place it under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for the desired development.
The president of the Association Dr Peter Luke Dako said that the Association has a lot to offer the country and the world, however, they are highly confronted with the challenges of office accommodation and registration with NAFDAC amongst other issues which have been hindering the progress of the Association.
Udoh also inaugurated the Local Organising Committee technology (LOC) for the hosting of the African Researchers and Innovation (FARI) forum holding from 17th -21st October 2022 in Abuja.
By Adekunle Biodun