The Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, has said Nigeria has yet to harness the potential of herbal medicine.
He made the remarks at a one-day symposium tagged, ‘Herbal Medicine: The past, the present and the future,’ organised by the Center for Herbal Medicine and Drug Development of the University.
A statement by UNIMED, Ondo City, Public Relations Unit, Temitope Oluwatayo, said Fatusi noted that there was the need for Nigeria to promote herbal medicine, saying the power of science and the potential of herbs could make a difference in the country’s health sector.
He said, ‘‘We have not harnessed our God-given heritage in the areas of herbs and what our forefathers have done but UNIMED is beginning to turn around the story and this moment is that golden moment, this workshop opens up that opportunity for us to crystalise our vision and bring the Nigerian nation to understand the power of science merged with the power of herbs, making the whole difference not only to health but also the economy.’’
He said the dream of the University to start a Bachelor’s degree programme in herbal medicine was halted by the lack of the National Universities Commission Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard now known as Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard for the programme.
The Keynote Speaker, Director of the Center for Research and Development, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Ganiyu Oboh, said the practice of herbal medicine had been the oldest form of health care and human being had been surviving on nature to feed, treat and to prevent illness.
‘‘The future of herbal medicine is inevitable integration into modern medical practice and it can only be achieved when there is a proper collaboration between government and all the actors involved in healthcare delivery,’’ he said.
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