Federal Government through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has been urged to incorporate herbal medicine in the cure and treatment of human health to ensure all encompassing healthcare delivery.
A Professor of Plant Ecology, Rasheed Awodoyin made the appeal while delivering the 585th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan at the Trenchard Hall of the institution.
Professor Awodoyin maintained that recognizing herbal medicine would afford Nigerians the opportunity of alternative choice in healthcare system.
Professor Awodoyin said “modernity and antiquity should exist side by side; none should be jettisoned. People should have choices in healthcare delivery”.
Speaking on the topic of the inaugural lecture “After Plants, It is plant” Professor Awodoyin, said earth is a plant-based planet, hence the imperative for human beings to guide against deforestation, land degradation and erosion.
The Senate/Governing Council of the University of Ibadan at the Inaugural Lecture.
He reiterated that herbal medicine is the mother of modern medicine and a mother that never experience menopause.
“Some weeds are known to be beneficial for industrial use, in the management of ailments and serving as herbs for delicious food”, Awodoyin stated.
‘Abere’ is a very useful medicine in the management of diabetes, it reduces cholesterol but people complain it is bitter. Thus it has been processed into Capsule in our department for easy consumption, he declared.
The Professor of Plant Ecology suggested integration of trees and some deep rooting low crop plants into farming system, and reduction in the usage of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to avoid environmental pollution, excessive growth of micro-organisms and other health disorders.
Professor Awodoyin concluded that plants are indispensable for healthy atmosphere, soil and healthy food system, as well as human and livestocks.
The Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Professor Marufat Balogun remarked that the inaugural lecture was a product of over 30 years of research to address environmental pollution, human health concerns, climate change and food security.
Professor Balogun appealed to Nigerians to always protect the environment using plants.
