Ikorodu (Lagos State): Prof. Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, Former Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, to formally integrate traditional medicine into the country’s mainstream healthcare system, citing its cultural relevance, accessibility, and potential to complement orthodox medical practices.
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 the Ikorodu Division Resources Development Group.
The late Prof. Adegbola was the pioneer Chairman and a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of 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 the government’s support and the firm determination of the practitioners, traditional medicine could be organised and practitioners’ skills upgraded so that the medicine could 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 proper values, we must not forget our indigenous, God-given system that our teeming population prefers and demands.
“Government 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 for Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, stated that 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 was once 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 the best way to go.”
Also speaking, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Oluseyi Onafowokan, called for advanced research on traditional medicine.
