The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) may soon approve 40 herbal products for the management of symptoms of COVID-19 and to boost the immune system of patients, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has said.
Oba Ogunwusi noted that traditional health practitioners have been playing major roles in COVID-19 preventive measures and management of symptoms of the virus.
The monarch said this on Tuesday during news conference to mark ‘African Traditional Medicine Day’ at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He said: “As part of my COVID 19 response, promising traditional therapies have emerged and are emerging. The Ministry of Health through NAFDAC has approved over 40 herbal products for the management of symptoms of covid-19 and immune boosters.
Oba Ogunwusi also advocated for more investment in the research and development of traditional medicine, stressing that it would contribute to the harnessing of homegrown solutions to improve well-being of people globally.
Indication yesterday emerged that the Federal Government would soon announce the locally-made herbal cure for the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Prof. Adebunkola Adefule-Ositelu, who stated this at the 2021 African Traditional Medicine Day, said the medicine had already gone through the necessary stages to confirm its efficacy.
She added that the herb had also been approved by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has decried the rising rate of deforestation in the Southwest, saying the natural herbs that can help in tackling major pandemic are gradually going into extinction, as forests are disappearing in the region.
