Herbal Medicine in curriculum and likely hurdles
Recently Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, called on Nigerian universities to introduce Bachelor of Science
(B.Sc) degree programme in herbal medicine for better healthcare delivery. Uji
Abdullahi Iliyasu reports that there may be hurdles on the path of realising
this objective,
(B.Sc) degree programme in herbal medicine for better healthcare delivery. Uji
Abdullahi Iliyasu reports that there may be hurdles on the path of realising
this objective,
Background
Recently, Minister of State for Education, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora,
called on Nigerian universities to introduce B.Sc. programme in Herbal Medicine
for better healthcare delivery. He made the call at a news conference
commemorating the 2019 African Traditional Medicine Day which held in Abuja.
called on Nigerian universities to introduce B.Sc. programme in Herbal Medicine
for better healthcare delivery. He made the call at a news conference
commemorating the 2019 African Traditional Medicine Day which held in Abuja.
African Traditional Medicine day is celebrated on August 31 annually.
He appealed to Nigerian universities to incorporate modules of herbal
medicine in their Health Sciences curricula.
medicine in their Health Sciences curricula.
The minister also unveiled the ministry’s report on curriculum
development for the training of herbal medical practitioners and medical
schools, and urged agencies and departments working on traditional medicine in
the country to work together for the development of the sector, as he said the
ultimate goal of government in the sector was to derive maximum economic
benefits from traditional medicine like China, India and other countries.
development for the training of herbal medical practitioners and medical
schools, and urged agencies and departments working on traditional medicine in
the country to work together for the development of the sector, as he said the
ultimate goal of government in the sector was to derive maximum economic
benefits from traditional medicine like China, India and other countries.
Like Mamora, a former minister of health had mad made similar call
which had not been heeded.
which had not been heeded.
Chukwu’s
call ignored
call ignored
Former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, had once said
that the implementation of herbal medicine curriculum in medical schools will
facilitate plans to integrate traditional medicine into the conventional
healthcare system. But his call seems to have been ignored as nothing was done
to support his statement. Nigeria would have produced sets of herbal medicine
graduates to take care of health challenges which go beyond the orthodox
medication.
that the implementation of herbal medicine curriculum in medical schools will
facilitate plans to integrate traditional medicine into the conventional
healthcare system. But his call seems to have been ignored as nothing was done
to support his statement. Nigeria would have produced sets of herbal medicine
graduates to take care of health challenges which go beyond the orthodox
medication.
“We seem to be moving in circles… However, I am surprised that no
mention was made of the Herbal Medicine Curriculum, which was produced and
adopted during my tenure as Honourable Minister of Health. The objective is to
enable Herbal Medicine (HM) to be studied in the university just like
conventional medicine. Thus students of HM will graduate as medical doctors at
par with their conventional medical counterparts.
mention was made of the Herbal Medicine Curriculum, which was produced and
adopted during my tenure as Honourable Minister of Health. The objective is to
enable Herbal Medicine (HM) to be studied in the university just like
conventional medicine. Thus students of HM will graduate as medical doctors at
par with their conventional medical counterparts.
“The vision was born out of, first, my appreciation that the first
duty of a doctor is to make a diagnosis. Yes, one may have inherited from one’s
ancestors roots that can stop ‘fever’ but the ability to determine the cause of
fever (which could be caused by many different diseases like malaria, typhoid
fever, urinary tract infection, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), meningitis, Lassa
fever, hepatitis, etc) require training. And there is no single ‘cure all’
medicine.
duty of a doctor is to make a diagnosis. Yes, one may have inherited from one’s
ancestors roots that can stop ‘fever’ but the ability to determine the cause of
fever (which could be caused by many different diseases like malaria, typhoid
fever, urinary tract infection, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), meningitis, Lassa
fever, hepatitis, etc) require training. And there is no single ‘cure all’
medicine.
“So possession of a medicine does not guarantee successful
treatment of a disease. One cannot make a diagnosis unless one had been taught
the basic medical sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology,
and pathology. Secondly, medical practice must be evidence based.
Unfortunately, not all branches of TM presently lend themselves to available
tools for the collection of evidence. Until such tools are available or
developed, it is safe and pragmatic to concentrate on HM for which evidence is
abundantly available. Many do not appreciate that TM does not automatically
mean HM. HM is only but a branch of TM.
treatment of a disease. One cannot make a diagnosis unless one had been taught
the basic medical sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology,
and pathology. Secondly, medical practice must be evidence based.
Unfortunately, not all branches of TM presently lend themselves to available
tools for the collection of evidence. Until such tools are available or
developed, it is safe and pragmatic to concentrate on HM for which evidence is
abundantly available. Many do not appreciate that TM does not automatically
mean HM. HM is only but a branch of TM.
“Until prospective Herbal Medical Practitioners (HMP) undergo
training to become physicians in their own right, it would be almost impossible
to formally integrate them into the nation’s health care system,” said.
training to become physicians in their own right, it would be almost impossible
to formally integrate them into the nation’s health care system,” said.
Chukwu, former Minister of Health in the administration of former
President Goodluck Jonathan, had taken steps to integrate herbal medicine into
the curriculum of medical colleges.
President Goodluck Jonathan, had taken steps to integrate herbal medicine into
the curriculum of medical colleges.
The Federal Ministry of Health had under Chukwu’s leadership, raised a
committee for the development of curriculum for the training of herbal medical
practitioners in medical schools. Besides, the ministry constituted a committee
on herbal products promotion and export.
committee for the development of curriculum for the training of herbal medical
practitioners in medical schools. Besides, the ministry constituted a committee
on herbal products promotion and export.
But four years on, the committees and Chukwu’s plans have been swept
under the carpet and nothing has been heard of the plans since Chukwu left
office.
under the carpet and nothing has been heard of the plans since Chukwu left
office.
Herbal
medicine and Nigerians’ psyche
medicine and Nigerians’ psyche
The idea of teaching Herbal medicine as a degree programme shouldn’t
come yet at this stage because one must undergo primary school, complete
secondary school before proceeding to tertiary school. If we want herbal
medicine in school curriculum it must be taught first in the basic level. This
means it should normally take about six to 10 years before we can think of
producing graduates in the course. If the minister of education wants herbal
medicine taught at the tertiary level there will be a vacuum which will make
nonsense of the programme.
come yet at this stage because one must undergo primary school, complete
secondary school before proceeding to tertiary school. If we want herbal
medicine in school curriculum it must be taught first in the basic level. This
means it should normally take about six to 10 years before we can think of
producing graduates in the course. If the minister of education wants herbal
medicine taught at the tertiary level there will be a vacuum which will make
nonsense of the programme.
Can a students who did not study elementary science in primary school,
Mathematics Chemistry, Biology and Physics in secondary school proceed to
university to read medicine? And even if we have traditional doctors who are
magical in herbal medication do they have the certificate to qualify them to
teach in universities, knowing that Nigeria is a certificate-dependent nation.
Or is Nigeria going to import herbal medicine lecturers from China and India to
teach the course? Also what is going to be the entry requirements for students
who want to read herbal medicine at graduate level? Will the entry requirement
be at par with their orthodox medicine counterparts?
Mathematics Chemistry, Biology and Physics in secondary school proceed to
university to read medicine? And even if we have traditional doctors who are
magical in herbal medication do they have the certificate to qualify them to
teach in universities, knowing that Nigeria is a certificate-dependent nation.
Or is Nigeria going to import herbal medicine lecturers from China and India to
teach the course? Also what is going to be the entry requirements for students
who want to read herbal medicine at graduate level? Will the entry requirement
be at par with their orthodox medicine counterparts?
Another contending issue is that Nigeria does not believe in creativity
and inventions arising from their own soil. The case abound where the local
scientists who claimed to have discovered vaccines for HIV have not been given
‘fair hearing’ in the public domain and by the powers that be.
and inventions arising from their own soil. The case abound where the local
scientists who claimed to have discovered vaccines for HIV have not been given
‘fair hearing’ in the public domain and by the powers that be.
In 2013, NAFDAC dissociated itself from the claim of an alleged
HIV/AIDS cure developed by the Dean, School Of Medical Sciences, University Of
Benin, Professor Isaiah Ibeh.
HIV/AIDS cure developed by the Dean, School Of Medical Sciences, University Of
Benin, Professor Isaiah Ibeh.
While addressing newsmen in Abuja, the then Director General of NAFDAC, Doctor Paul Orhii
said, Professor Ibeh’s herbal drug had never been presented to the agency for
vetting, adding that the ‘bogus claim’ by Professor Ibeh was capable of
misleading the public especially those that have HIV/AIDS infection.
said, Professor Ibeh’s herbal drug had never been presented to the agency for
vetting, adding that the ‘bogus claim’ by Professor Ibeh was capable of
misleading the public especially those that have HIV/AIDS infection.
“We have started with
disassociating ourselves from the so-called cure. We will decide the
appropriate sanction. We have invited him for further investigation.
disassociating ourselves from the so-called cure. We will decide the
appropriate sanction. We have invited him for further investigation.
“If our laws don’t have appropriate punishment for such persons who
don’t follow scientific protocols in making such pronouncement, we will review
the law and ensure that such do not occur again.
don’t follow scientific protocols in making such pronouncement, we will review
the law and ensure that such do not occur again.
“The agency wishes to state that this herbal drug which is claimed to
have undergone a series of successful tests has never been presented to the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for evaluation of
efficacy and safety,”Orhi said.
have undergone a series of successful tests has never been presented to the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for evaluation of
efficacy and safety,”Orhi said.
Dr
Abalaka
Abalaka
In 2015 Jeremiah Abalaka, a surgeon and immunologist, said he had
developed a vaccine for the treatment of Human Immune Virus (HIV).
developed a vaccine for the treatment of Human Immune Virus (HIV).
Abalaka repeatedly said he would willingly work with various interested
government agencies to ensure his discovery was put to good use.
government agencies to ensure his discovery was put to good use.
Mr. Abalaka said categorically said his vaccine could cure or prevent
HIV but not to cure AIDS but he was abused and ignored.
HIV but not to cure AIDS but he was abused and ignored.
“The point must be made clear again and again that I have never claimed
to have discovered cure or prevention for AIDS.
to have discovered cure or prevention for AIDS.
“I have only developed safe and effective vaccines for the prevention
and treatment of HIV, the causative agent of AIDS.”
and treatment of HIV, the causative agent of AIDS.”
Because of his vaccine, the man was persecuted both by his compatriots
and his invention rubbished by 16 years of litigations.
and his invention rubbished by 16 years of litigations.
“I am prepared to move on after
16 years of legal hurdles.”
16 years of legal hurdles.”
Dr Jacob
Abdullahi
Abdullahi
In 2007 Armed with a B.Sc in Medical Laboratory Science and a M.Sc in
Immunology, Dr. Jacob Abdullahi, said, “HIV research has been done. We
discovered the treatment for HIV/AID in 1998, and since then, over 50,000 cases
have been treated with a success rate of over 80 per cent which far exceeds the
1 per cent the world is looking for. What this product needs is awareness that
it is available in Nigeria and can be obtained irrespective of your country or
continent.
Immunology, Dr. Jacob Abdullahi, said, “HIV research has been done. We
discovered the treatment for HIV/AID in 1998, and since then, over 50,000 cases
have been treated with a success rate of over 80 per cent which far exceeds the
1 per cent the world is looking for. What this product needs is awareness that
it is available in Nigeria and can be obtained irrespective of your country or
continent.
“If Dr Abalaka could not defend his scientific findings and stopped
along the line that was probably his decision. We in Winners lab have been able
to defend our scientific findings for this treatment option anywhere in the
world. As I speak to you, I am an immunologist, and I can tell you that this is
possible, and there is no professor of medicine or researcher that can disprove
our findings.
along the line that was probably his decision. We in Winners lab have been able
to defend our scientific findings for this treatment option anywhere in the
world. As I speak to you, I am an immunologist, and I can tell you that this is
possible, and there is no professor of medicine or researcher that can disprove
our findings.
“…On July 15, 2000, the
American government sent a-five-man delegate from Congressional Tax Force on
HIV/AIDS, to meet me in Abuja. They were led by Hon. Jim Mcdermott, a US
Congress man. When they came, I explained to them everything about our products
and they asked lots of questions. That prompted our own House Committee on
Health led by Hon. Ogbeide Willie from Edo state to conduct an open hearing on August 8, 2000,
where 16 claimants appeared. There was a White Paper by the Ministry of Health,
to further investigate my claims and those of Dr Abalaka, out of the 16 of us
that appeared. About 200 million naira was released for a further investigation
of our findings. But along the line, we did not know what happened to the money
that neither I nor Dr Abalaka was further investigated to prove the authenticity
of our claims. The money was supposed to be used for further clinical trials
but those that represented the federal government did not show up, and
consequently our products were not further investigated.”
American government sent a-five-man delegate from Congressional Tax Force on
HIV/AIDS, to meet me in Abuja. They were led by Hon. Jim Mcdermott, a US
Congress man. When they came, I explained to them everything about our products
and they asked lots of questions. That prompted our own House Committee on
Health led by Hon. Ogbeide Willie from Edo state to conduct an open hearing on August 8, 2000,
where 16 claimants appeared. There was a White Paper by the Ministry of Health,
to further investigate my claims and those of Dr Abalaka, out of the 16 of us
that appeared. About 200 million naira was released for a further investigation
of our findings. But along the line, we did not know what happened to the money
that neither I nor Dr Abalaka was further investigated to prove the authenticity
of our claims. The money was supposed to be used for further clinical trials
but those that represented the federal government did not show up, and
consequently our products were not further investigated.”
Professor
Maduike Ezeibe
Maduike Ezeibe
Ezeibe, a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology at the
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, had said that he had discovered a new drug for the cure of
HIV/AIDS.
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, had said that he had discovered a new drug for the cure of
HIV/AIDS.
The don said the drug, produced
with “Aluminium Magnesium Silicate” was tested on 10 persons living with HIV.
It has a clinical ability to “reach all cells” and making HIV “a conquered
organism”, he said.
with “Aluminium Magnesium Silicate” was tested on 10 persons living with HIV.
It has a clinical ability to “reach all cells” and making HIV “a conquered
organism”, he said.
But Nigeria treated his discovery as one coming from a clown and
ignored him.
ignored him.
Professor
Isaiah Ibeh
Isaiah Ibeh
In 2013, NAFDAC dissociated itself from the claim of an alleged
HIV/AIDS cure developed by the Dean, School Of Medical Sciences, University Of
Benin, Professor Isaiah Ibeh.
HIV/AIDS cure developed by the Dean, School Of Medical Sciences, University Of
Benin, Professor Isaiah Ibeh.
While addressing newsmen in Abuja, the then Director General of NAFDAC, Doctor Paul Orhii
said, Professor Ibeh’s herbal drug had never been presented to the agency for
vetting, adding that the ‘bogus claim’ by Professor Ibeh was capable of
misleading the public especially those that have HIV/AIDS infection.
said, Professor Ibeh’s herbal drug had never been presented to the agency for
vetting, adding that the ‘bogus claim’ by Professor Ibeh was capable of
misleading the public especially those that have HIV/AIDS infection.
“We have started with
disassociating ourselves from the so-called cure. We will decide the
appropriate sanction. We have invited him for further investigation.
disassociating ourselves from the so-called cure. We will decide the
appropriate sanction. We have invited him for further investigation.
“If our laws don’t have appropriate punishment for such persons who
don’t follow scientific protocols in making such pronouncement, we will review
the law and ensure that such do not occur again.
don’t follow scientific protocols in making such pronouncement, we will review
the law and ensure that such do not occur again.
“The agency wishes to state that this herbal drug which is claimed to
have undergone a series of successful tests has never been presented to the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for evaluation of
efficacy and safety,”Orhi said.
have undergone a series of successful tests has never been presented to the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for evaluation of
efficacy and safety,”Orhi said.
Dr Sugar
Recently
another Nigerian, Dr Sugar, the chairman of traditional medical practitioners
Association of Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state told Blueprint
that herbs have the apotency to cure modern ailments such as HIV/Aids,
diabetes, hepatitis, cancer and other life threatening diseases which the
modern hospital has no power to heal.
another Nigerian, Dr Sugar, the chairman of traditional medical practitioners
Association of Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa state told Blueprint
that herbs have the apotency to cure modern ailments such as HIV/Aids,
diabetes, hepatitis, cancer and other life threatening diseases which the
modern hospital has no power to heal.
Dr
sugar said he inherited the practice from his grandfather though he said a
person could be apprenticed to a native doctor to learn it, but not all could
be subjected to proof.
sugar said he inherited the practice from his grandfather though he said a
person could be apprenticed to a native doctor to learn it, but not all could
be subjected to proof.
“You
know as the names suggest, there are different ways of administering drugs to
patients. Traditional or orthodox medicines each works better in its own area
of specialty. There are some patients taken to us who need drip or blood
transfusion, these ones are not within the traditional medication. In such
circumstances, we refer them to modern hospital. After that we can administer
our own drugs.
know as the names suggest, there are different ways of administering drugs to
patients. Traditional or orthodox medicines each works better in its own area
of specialty. There are some patients taken to us who need drip or blood
transfusion, these ones are not within the traditional medication. In such
circumstances, we refer them to modern hospital. After that we can administer
our own drugs.
“If
you go to modern hospital find that they don’t help come to the traditional
clinic or herbalists. We have cured hepatitis, diabetes, HIV AIDS, cancer and
other terminal diseases.”
you go to modern hospital find that they don’t help come to the traditional
clinic or herbalists. We have cured hepatitis, diabetes, HIV AIDS, cancer and
other terminal diseases.”