Some stakeholders have called on the government at all levels and other non-state actors to adopt alternative medicine to address the country’s health challenges.
They made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a health talk seminar themed: “Promoting Healthy Well-Being Through Alternative Medicine” organised by Emiral Global, an alternative medicine firm in collaboration with the Abuja Women Dance group.
Speaking at the event, Emeka Chimezie, the chief executive officer of Emiral Global, called on the government to support Indigenous and natural solutions like Emiral Elixir and other alternative medicines.
Chimezie noted that with the recent withdrawal of healthcare support by the United States to Nigeria, it has become imperative for the government to explore alternative medicine by funding research and assisting Indigenous companies in the sector to augment orthodox medicines, which are usually imported.
“What America is doing is they are trying to push the world to go back to alternative medicine to see that nature has a cure for most things. As one of our Ambassadors, a cancer survivor said, What did she use, Alternative medicine?
“I’m saying that the government should look into alternative medicine, especially for good products that work like Emiral Elixir. If you check out there, you see a lot of ulcers, cancerous ulcers (patients), and this and that. Bring the person, and let’s test what we have.
“So, the government should support us on our journey, knowing that people are dying from negligence and all of these. The rate of death is going high because of bad food and water intake, lifestyles,” he said.
Chimezie explained that emira elixir, for instance, is an herbal-based product which has shown immense potential in combating serious health issues such as cancer, diabetes, ulcers, and prostate problems.
“It’s not just any herb. One of the key ingredients in Emira Elixir is Asian Lycoris, found primarily in Cambodia and the eastern parts of Asia and Egypt. Historically, it was used in sweet wines for Egyptian pharaohs and contributed to their vitality and longevity. This plant contains over 300 beneficial compounds that help regulate the acidity level in the human body.
“Emira Elixir has been effective in targeting H. pylori, which is a root cause of chronic ulcers and potentially cancer. The body is naturally designed to heal itself and can do just that with the right nutrients. This product supports that healing process,” he explained.
Also speaking, veteran broadcaster and member of the Abuja Women Dance group, Evelyn Onyilo, faulted the Nigerian government for neglecting the potential of traditional and alternative medicine.
The Nigerian government lack the political will to explore alternative medicine. Orthodox medicine has its place, but we should also look inward. Natural remedies, plants, fruits, and herbs are around us. They’re cheaper, accessible, and effective,” Onyilo said.
She emphasised the importance of mental health, saying the Abuja Women Dance initiative is about fitness and emotional support for women.
“Every two months, we join in to dance, do yoga, exercise, and talk. Nigerian women carry 90% of the household responsibilities, childcare, food, and school runs. We must create spaces to release stress and care for our mental health,”Onyilo added.
For her part, Dr Jophia Nanker Gupar, a cancer survivor and Founder/President of the Pan African Young Women Development Initiative (PAYWODI), attributed her healing to alternative medicine and called for the government and other non-state actors to support it.
“I want to advise fellow Nigerians, cancer doesn’t run in my family. So, how did I end up with it? A Russian doctor traced it to parasites in the vegetables and fruits I had been consuming for years. Now, I wash and prepare every fruit and vegetable I eat. Food hygiene is essential,” she said.
Earlier, the convener, Zainab Mohammed, said mental health is now an epidemic in the country, which must be tackled through alternative medicine and awareness creation at all tiers of society.
“Right now in Nigeria, we think that when you are naked on the street, that is when you have a mental health issue. Anyone can have a mental health issue. You can look at me without a sign, but I can have a mental health issue. We need to create that awareness so that people can know any signs and what triggers their mental health issues.
“We can train people at the grassroots by this communication and on our various platforms, that these are some of the signs and triggers when somebody has a mental health issue. We must also train the traditional rulers’ wives because they are the gatekeepers. We will continue to create awareness so that people will understand.
“One of the things we have to take home from here is that when you are mad, walking on the streets is not a mental health issue. Everybody is on the verge of being in this situation of a mental health issue. It is an epidemic and we must address it,” she said.
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