The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for 2025, emphasizing enhanced research and the systematic documentation of traditional medicine practices, alongside targeted strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance and livestock diseases.
The director-general of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, outlined these initiatives during his presentation, “The Media as Natural Medicine Ambassador,” at a media parley in Lagos.
According to Emeje, for decades, Nigeria has lacked structured documentation and review of traditional medicine processes, but this will change in 2025, as NNMDA aims to create a comprehensive traditional medicine database while also reviewing the country’s biodiversity to bolster research efforts.
Highlighting the agency’s strides in securing competitive research grants, Emeje disclosed plans to utilize these funds to address antimicrobial resistance. “We will focus on identifying medicinal plants endemic to specific regions and developing products tailored to the prevalent diseases in those areas,” he stated.
This approach, he added, seeks to empower local communities by reducing dependence on foreign medicinal aid. “The solutions to our health challenges are within our reach; we only need to harness them,” he emphasized.
NNMDA’s 2025 agenda extends to addressing livestock diseases, with partnerships already established with the Netherlands and India to develop herbal remedies. Additionally, the agency is prioritizing cures for snakebites, a significant public health concern, particularly in regions like Katungu, Gombe State, known for venomous snake populations.
“Snakebites represent a critical health insecurity. With funding, we are poised to develop effective treatments and deploy them without delay,” Emeje assured.
Reflecting on 2024, Emeje celebrated NNMDA’s pioneering use of nanotechnology to create indigenous herbal products for cholera treatment, a feat that positioned the agency at the forefront of innovation in traditional medicine.
“Our model is built on research, science, technology, and innovation. We view every disease as a challenge that requires immediate and strategic action,” he stated.
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