By Adepote Arowojobe
Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, Former Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, has called on the Federal Government to support the incorporation of traditional medicine into the orthodox healthcare system.
Adefule-Ositelu made the call at the 22nd Edition of the Late Prof. Anthony Afolabi Adegbola Memorial Lecture on Saturday in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Lecture, which had the theme, “Alternative Medicine: Perception, Uses and Benefits”, was organised by Ikorodu Division Resources Development Group.
Adegbola was the pioneer Chairman and a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Osun State.
Adefule-Ositelu underscored the need for the Federal Government to collaborate, intervene and financially support traditional medicine practitioners.
She stressed that with government’s support and strong determination of the practitioners, traditional medicine could be organised and practitioners’ skills upgraded for the medicine to undergo clinical trials.
“Such trials will authenticate our products made from traditional ingredients to standardised and internationally acceptable products.
“Traditional medicine is capable of meeting all health conditions.
“Although, orthodox medicine has its useful values, yet we must not forget our indigenous, God-given system that our teeming population prefers and demand.
“Government’s involvement is mandatory for maximal gains to the citizens’ efficient health care,” the professor said.
She also urged Nigerians to embrace and adopt traditional medicine.
In his remarks, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, said the state would continue to support traditional medicine.
Also speaking at the lecture, a Traditional Ruler, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, said that traditional medicine was an old practice.
He said that the practice used to be very effective in the past until the advent of orthodox medicine.
Oba Shotobi expressed gratitude to Adefule-Ositelu for championing the advocacy and sensitising people on traditional medicine.
He said: “Traditional medicine is useful, an alternative to orthodox medicine and best way to go.”
Also speaking, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ghana, Mr Oluseyi Onafowokan, called for advanced research on traditional medicine.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that present at the lecture were former Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, traditional rulers, community and youth leaders among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Christiana Fadare
