Senator advocates for traditional medicine in new bill, says native doctors ‘intercede’ with ancestors

Garba Maidoki, senator representing Kebbi south, has called
for the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul
Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework.

 

He argues that indigenous healing practices remain relevant,
particularly in rural communities.

The senator spoke on Tuesday during 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.

‘MOST RURAL DWELLERS RELY ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE’

Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Sadiq Umar,
senator representing Kwara north, Maidoki said 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,” he said.

“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.”

Maidoki said 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.

The lawmaker said 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,” he said.

“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.”

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.

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