By Austin Okoro
The Imo state Commissioner for health ( primary health, social services and health insurance) , Dr Prosper Ohayagha Success has stated the readiness of the Imo state government in integrating Herbal Medicine into the health care framework of Nigeria. The initiative seeks to address the health care needs of the rural dwellers in Nigeria and Imo state in particular.
He stated this while delivering an address on behalf of the Imo state government led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, during the 2024 HerbFest in Owerri recently.
Dr Ohayagha stated that Gov Uzodinma’s administration aligns with the health care programmes of the Federal Government in ensuring that adequate health care is given to the people. He emphasized the crucial role traditional medicine play in improving health care outcomes across the state and the nation at large.
In the same vein , a medical practitioner and the Imo state chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association NMA, Dr Echeta Uzodinma stated his profound joy of being part of this year’s HerbFest adding that the world started with the practice of using herbal medicine to cure diseases. ” In health every medicine today has its origin from herbs, mushrooms etc, the difference is in extracting the active ingredients in the herbs, as practiced by the white men”, he stated. Dr Echeta noted that we can use native herbs as drugs and as foods but the way we prepare them matters a lot, and you must know your limit while using them.
Rev Father Wence Madu who was one of the resource persons at the event said bioresources technology is an innovative idea that calls the attention of the people to those herbs that have nutritional values, medicinal values and will be able to safeguard the health of the people. Father Wence who is the Vice Chancellor of Clarentian University said we need to cultivate new herbs and cultivate the habit of using those herbs we took for granted before, by getting a few herbs or leaves boil them together and they become food and medicine for us.
Hon Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Cosmas Maduba said Medicinal plants in relation to the successful development of the country; the society needs to encourage farmers to commercialize the cultivation of medicinal plants and crops through which one can generate natural products with which you can treat various health challenges. He added that medicinal plants are a great source of food for the populace. Chief Maduba called on the people to buy into the business of traditional medicine and start patronizing traditional medicine dealers in Nigeria as it generates a lot of incomes in billions of dollars. He also urged the politicians, wealthy business men and other stakeholders to support the production of herbal medicine in large quantities so as to be able to maximize the potential in it.