By Kasim Isa Muhammad
The Federal Government stated that 80% of Nigerians rely on traditional medicine as their main healthcare approach.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2023 African Traditional Medicine Day, with the theme ‘The Contribution of Traditional Medicine to Holistic Health and Well-being for All.’
He emphasized the accessibility, cultural acceptance, and trust people have in traditional medicine.
Alausa also highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s agenda focuses on Universal Health Coverage, funding for local research, and the potential economic benefits of traditional medicine.
He said, “Studies have shown that traditional medicine use in Nigeria is as high as 81.6 per cent, and this is not expected to be on the decline in the near future, especially in the face of the predicted increase in the global burden of diseases.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, noted that traditional medicine’s potential remains untapped and called for integrating it into health systems for achieving sustainable development goals.
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