The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Saturday in Abuja said the Union Government would facilitate the broad adoption of traditional and alternative medicine.

Saying this at the first conference on Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

He said, “Traditional medicine is everything we had before the advent of modern medicine. And the same applies to all cultures and civilizations. Continued interest and research into traditional medicine is a good way to continue the development of these ancient herbs in Nigeria.

“The time has come to use the knowledge and skills of our ancestors for generations to add. In line with this administration’s desire to explore all forms of appropriate health care, the Organization’s Department of Health will continue to commit itself to supporting programs that promote TCAM in Nigeria.

“It is instructive that the majority of Nigerians still seek and use traditional medicine over traditional medicine. I hope this conference will discuss the opportunities hidden in traditional medicine for use in our culture ”

PUNCH reports that, in December 2020, Drs. Hhanire introduced a 20-member committee led by the organisation’s secretary general of health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi, to prepare for the establishment of the National Institute of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria under the auspices of the University of Benin.

In addition to the Committee Chairman, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, other Committee members include Professors MacDonald Idu and Ehijie Enato representing the University of Benin on the Committee; Representative of the Regional Department of Education; Representative of the National Universities Commission; Professor Ernest Ugo; General (Dr.) Ali Muhammad-Biu; Professor Lawal Bichi; Dr. Chigozie Nwogu; and Professor Alphonsus the Church, among others.

Present were the First Lady, Dr Aisha Buhari, the speaker of the day, Prof MacDonald Idu, TCAM Head of Health, Zainab Shariff, representatives of the Secretary-General of the Organization and Ooni of Ife, Minister of State. Health Minister, Adeleke Mamora, various traditional healers from across the country.

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