Alternate Medicine practitioners in Ogun State have appealed to the Federal government to encourage and give due recognition to the use of herbal medicines so as to address the unnecessary importation of conventional medicines which has contributed to the weakening of the naira and the economy.

The National President, Mission Birth Attendants, Reverend Mrs. Elizabeth Quodri, stated this during the graduation ceremony of batch 17, African College of Traditional Medicine, held at the College Auditorium Hall, Elekuro- Wasimi, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State.

Reverend Quodri noted that the Federal Government needs to give more attention to the development of alternate medicines by providing all necessary support with strong government policies that would further streamline and legalise the use of herbal medicines by Nigerians in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s global vision.

She said the lack of implementation of necessary government policies that could aid the development of alternate medicines, has continued to draw African Medicine back ward and indirectly promote foreign medicine to the detriment of the country’s health sector and economy.

Appreciating the support of the present administration to the development of alternate medicine in the State, Reverend Quodri, noted that in years to come the entire people of Ogun State would continue to be grateful to Governor Dapo Abiodun for creating the State Alternate Medicine Board with the support of Balogun Nurudeen Olaleye who had successfully managed the affairs of the Board.

In his address, a former member, Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board, Alhaji Ajisope Aroyewun, congratulated the graduates and charged them to be more dedicated, focused and truthful in their line of duty and also abide by the basic principles that guide the practice in their different States.

In his address, founder, African College of Traditional Medicine, Dr. Samson Soyoye, appreciated the present administration in the state for providing a level playing ground among stakeholders and creating a conducive environment for the practice of African Medicine in the State.

Responding on behalf of the graduating class of Africa College of Traditional Medicine Batch 17, Dr. Mic Agunobi, said the management of health has gradually moved to indigenous medicine, calling on the government to provide technical support that would aid the production of herbal drugs.

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