The Senator representing Kebbi south, Garba Maidoki yesterday canvassed the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework.
He spoke during a debate on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the Food and Drug Act, and replace them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines and other products that affect public health.
Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara north, Maidoki argued that indigenous healing practices remain relevant, particularly in rural communities.
He maintained that the legislation should also recognise traditional medicine.
“I rise to also support this motion ably sponsored by Senator Suleiman Sadiq. This motion, as my colleague said, is apt, is timely, and is in good faith to modernise the practice of food and drug registration in Nigeria.
“But Mr. President, I want to bring to your attention that even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything on this bill concerning traditional medicine.
“Concerning traditional medicine, sir, most of our rural dwellers, most of them rely mostly on this traditional medicine.
“And I think it is high time that we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.
“Holistically, if this is done, we will also reduce the cost of importation of drugs from foreign nations, and we will rely mostly on our own indigenous herbs and medication by our own native doctors,” he said.
The lawmaker asserted that incorporating traditional medicine into the legal framework would reduce dependence on imported medicines.
He added that the bill’s sponsor, a pharmacist, should work towards integrating traditional practitioners into the country’s healthcare system.
“I think if this is done, the pharmacist Senator Suleiman will be able to incorporate these people and make this holistic,” he said.
Maidoki pointed out that some ailments are better treated with herbal remedies than orthodox medicine.
“Even some of us that are senators, sometimes we rely, we go to herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or the other, which sometimes the modern medicine has no answer. Like if your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf,” he added.
Maidoki’s remarks elicited laughter in the senate chamber.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded in a light-hearted manner.
“Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor.
“It’s actually baffling that this was part of the African religion, but when the white people came, they now told us that we don’t need our ancestors, but I think from what you are saying, you are still using your ancestors,” he said.
The bill later passed second reading after receiving the support of lawmakers. If enacted, the legislation will repeal two existing food and drug laws and establish a unified regulatory framework covering food, medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products that affect public health.
