By Muhammad Amaan
The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has said that the country could become a net exporter of traditional medicines within 12 months.
Director-General of the agency, Professor Martins Emeje stated this during a working visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
He said that with the right policies and support, natural medicine could generate more revenue for Nigeria than oil.
Professor Emeje said that with adequate staffing and financial support, the NNMDA team has the capacity to develop natural medicines that are globally accepted.
“The next thing is for our lawmakers to put life into the resolution on natural medicine, that is, provide financial and human support. I need at least 15,000 staff to get this country to turn around, and nobody will be looking for oil money.
“If they give me 15,000 staff, we will deploy 20 to each local government, and in 12 months, this country will be a net exporter of medicinal plants and natural medicines, both in their raw form, processed and standardised, and as medical products for intervention.
“And people will now have what we call 100 per cent access to medicine and healthcare—universal health coverage, using our own natural medicine,” Prof. Emeje said.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Compliance, Mr Badau Ahmed, who led the delegation, said the development of natural medicine would enhance healthcare delivery in the country.
If well implemented, he noted, it would reduce the dependence on foreign and imported medicines.
Mr Ahmed said the lawmakers were ready to support the agency’s drive to develop comprehensive natural medicine.
According to him, the development of natural medicine on a large scale would create massive job opportunities across the country.
He said, “This move by the NNMDA to develop and promote traditional medicine is encouraging. It will reduce costs and dependence on foreign medicine.
“So, at the same time, this plan will help our teeming youths by creating job opportunities in our communities across the country.
“The NNMDA DG has informed us of their plans, and the only thing is to encourage them to formalise everything in writing and submit it to us. We’ll take it from there and put it into action,” the committee chairman said.
The committee’s working visit comes months after the House of Representatives adopted a motion on the “need for Nigerians to promote and prioritise natural medicine” in the country.
After adopting the motion, the House of Representatives mandated its Committees on Healthcare Services and Science and Technology to “strategise with stakeholders and the Natural Medicine Development Agency.”
It also urged the committees to “connect the possibilities of natural medicine, reorient Nigerians, and look inwards for solutions to health challenges.”
