The federal government has promised to strengthen traditional medicine through favourable policies, scientific research, and innovation for sustainable results.

The minister of state for health and social welfare, Adetunji Alausa, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2023 African Traditional Medicine (ATM) day.

Mr Alausa, represented by the ministry’s director of human resources management, Hassan Salau, said integration and collaboration between modern medical practices and traditional medicine are essential.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared August 31 every year as ATM Day in 2001 and urges all member states to review the progress of implementation of the objectives of institutionalising traditional medicine into national health systems on this day.

“We must ensure that our traditional healers have access to proper training, research and resources, allowing them to standardise their expertise while also aligning with international best practices,” stated Mr Alausa. “This collaboration can lead to a healthcare system that is truly comprehensive and inclusive, benefiting all members of our society.”

Mr Alausa, however, assured that Nigeria would mobilise evidence-based actions in support of traditional medicine, which serves as initial recourse for millions worldwide seeking to address their health and well-being needs.

Mr Alausa added that the nation would continue to work with support from WHO West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and other partners like the embassies of China and India to develop traditional medicine for local use and commercialisation.

The minister said studies have shown that traditional medicine use in Nigeria was as high as 81.6 per cent, a figure that is not expected to decline in the near future, especially in the face of the predicted increase in the global burden of diseases.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu seeks to bolster the economy by prioritising Universal Health Coverage, which is expected to frontally address the nation’s healthcare challenges. The healthcare plan will also focus on encouraging and improving funding for local research of new drugs and vaccines,” added Mr Alausa.

The minister noted that “many medicines have their origin in herbal medicine, which is a form of traditional medicine.”

Mr Alausa added that the nation’s approach to optimising the strengths of its traditional medicine would also focus on favourable policies, institutional and political support, Nigeria’s rich biodiversity, qualitative data, scientific research, and the use of innovation to optimise the contribution of traditional medicine to UHC and sustainable development.

(NAN)