Some herbal medical practitioners in Bayelsa have applauded the National Assembly (NASS) on its move to integrate the indigenous medicine into the country’s health care delivery system.
A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of complementary and alternative medicine commission recently passed for third reading in the House of Representatives.
Also passed for third reading is a bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Traditional Medicine Council of Nigeria.
The consolidated bills, which was sponsored by Rep. Nasiru Garo (Kano-APC) and two other lawmakers, seek to encourage, promote and regulate traditional medicine practice in Nigeria.
The practitioners made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday at the on-going Tradition Medicine Exhibition in Yenagoa.
The practitioners, who stressed the need for the integration, said that the importance of herbs to mankind and health could not be over-emphasised.
Dr Bilmus Lawal, Chairman, Organising Committee, said the on-going exhibition which started on June 15 to July 15, was aimed to sensitise the people on the use of herbs and its importance.
“Prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine, traditional medicine used to be the dominant medical system available to millions of people in Africa in both rural and urban communities.
“This medicine has been used by our fore-fathers for ages and that is why they lived long and strong; let me tell you, most white man’s medication is made from herbs.
“Traditional medicine can cure a lot of illness; so, we salute the Federal Government’s efforts to promote the use of African’s root,” he said.
Similarly, Ola Taiwo, one of the practitioners explained that herbal medicines are prepared according to secret recipes by several manufacturers using bitter herbs, leaves, fruits, seeds, or roots and sometimes alcohol or sugar.
“Most of the products we have here in Bayelsa exhibition are with NAFADAC numbers, we are registered with the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medical Practitioners (NANTMP).
“I also salute the move by NASS members to integrate traditional medicine into the nation’s health care delivery system.
“Most herbs, especially those with bitter can boost the immune system and regulate stomach acidity of man; bitters can enhance fertility as well as combating inexplicable infertility in both man and woman,” he said.
Mr Ken Ebimowei, a visitor in one of the exhibition stands, also commended the NASS members on the bill.
Ebimowei however urged the producers to improve on hygienic and quality of the products to encourage the usage among the people.
“Herbs are good, you cannot take them out of market because many homes have tested and trusted in them and are working effectively for them,” he said. (NAN)
OOC/EAL