The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has expressed readiness to support the advancement of traditional medicine in the country. The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji, stated this on Monday, at a one-day dialogue on re-thinking natural medicine, held in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the meeting was 'Support the Provision of Quality and Safe Traditional Medicine through Appropriate Regulatory Mechanisms.' The event was organised by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA). Nnaji, who reiterated the Federal Government's dedication to supporting and strengthening local industries, highlighted their crucial role in driving economic growth and development. He emphasised that traditional medicine played a major role in people's life and national development, adding however, that the innovation was still low, hence the need for support. 'The Federal Government is committed to the growth of local content and ind ustries, so the ministry will give its support to the development of the sector. 'Our support will improve industrialisation so that resources such as traditional medicine knowledge, products and technology can be transformed into innovative and commercialised products,' he said The minister promised to collaborate with the agency, particularly in product research funding and training, among other possible partnerships. The Director-General, NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, said that medical science had made incredible advances all over the globe, especially in traditional medicine. Emeje, therefore, called for public and private support to promote traditional medicine in Nigeria like the rest of the world. See also FG seeks UN-Habitat collaboration for urban renewal, new city project The NNMDA D-G said that the inclusion of traditional herbal medicine in clinical practice would also help to achieve health for all. 'The traditional medicine sub-sector holds the master key to the much-desired future of Niger ia's healthcare delivery and economic greatness. 'With its associated bio-resources, it is a strategic sector that can be used as a tool for the overall development of the country, starting from the natural improvement of health. 'Also, traditional medicine simulates small and medium scale agro-business, small scale product industries in health, raw materials and a feedstock to the global knowledge economy in research and product development,' Emeje said. He said that in recent years, research on African traditional/herbal medicine had been increasing clinical trials and research by public or private researchers across the world. 'Africa has a great pool of diverse medicinal plant sources, as well as a long and well characterised traditional medicinal system. 'Also, modern technology and techniques have revolutionised the progression of drug discovery from medicinal plants and have become an essential tool to monitor and maintain the quality of traditional formulation, and mechanism for its formulation,' ' he added. Dr Merlin Wilcox, a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, called for the government's support to research and development of traditional medicines. This, according to him, will enable citizens to enjoy its benefits. 'However, scientific evidence is needed to support the provision of safe and quality medicine to the citizens. 'The government needs to strengthen policies that will make it more presentable and available in dosages,'' he said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria