The House of Representatives decided to research how Nigeria can develop traditional and alternative medicine to improve the delivery of health services in the country.

In Thursday’s plenary session, the House specially mandated its committees on health services, health facilities, credit, finance, development and monitoring of Nigerian content, science and technology, Labor and Productivity and the COVID-19 Commission to liaise with federal departments of health; Industry trade and investment; work and productivity; and Science and Technology to “design strategies to strengthen and expand alternative health care delivery in the country and report back within four weeks for further legislative action”.

This decision is based on a motion presented by Balarebe Kakale, titled “The Need to Strengthen Traditional and Alternative Medicine for Sustainable Health Care Delivery in Nigeria”.

Kakale, in the motion, noted that the global COVID-19 outbreak has exposed the disproportionate burden of Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported medical, pharmaceutical, device, equipment and other related health services.

The lawmaker said there was an “overwhelming increase” in awareness of locally sourced health solutions in the country, with more and more Nigerians demanding local, local, biological, loved ones, easily. accessible and affordable.

He said: “The Chamber is concerned that the failure to strengthen and adequately use alternative medical practices in the country compromises the sustainability of national structures, denies Nigerians the opportunity to test their usefulness in prevention. and the treatment of various diseases and leads to waste. of resources.

“The Chamber is aware that evidence has shown that Nigeria, in particular, has a plethora of herbal remedies scientifically proven to have immense health benefits, but the country has failed to address them. use effectively.

“The Chamber is also concerned that the lack of a sustainable national approach to health care delivery has resulted in a weak health system in the country, especially in efforts to combat COVID-19 and other epidemics.

“The House is concerned that overdependence on foreign medicine has created a loophole in the Nigerian health system, thereby limiting access to other effective forms of treatment and leaving citizens vulnerable to various illnesses. . ”

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