BRIGHT PROSPECTS OF NIGERIA’S HEALTHCARE system, seem to be ahead, been fallout of lessons learned from the human and economic scourge, coronavirus pandemic has caused the world. Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Health, has begun the search for local treatment and possible cure for the coronavirus, Covid-19.
The Health Ministry has directed the screening of 19 local firms for the production of local herbal drugs, for the treatment, and cure for Covid-19. The companies involved will submit samples of their proposed herbal solutions to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC. Three of the firms that presented samples to NAFDAC, will be listed and recommended to government for funding.
President Buhari, has also, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, approved funding of six medical simulation, research and training facilities in six colleges of medicine in the country. They will set up molecular science laboratories with capacity for testing and diagnostics of Covid-19, Lassa Fever and related viral diseases.
Adamu Adamu, Education Minister, is reported to have directed the Executive Secretary, TETFund, Suleiman Bagoro, to designate a university, each in the country’s six geo-political zones for the project. To be followed by the establishment of 12 medical centres of excellence to be hosted by first, second and third general universities. Additional centres will be located in state universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The 19 firms being assessed for the production of Covid-19 drugs, met with the leadership of the Health Ministry, and the Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, confirmed the developments, according to reports.
The firms made claims to the cure of COVID-19, as well as, treatment of the symptoms. The Ministry of Health, also held meeting with leadership of NAFDAC, National Institute for Medical Research, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and other stakeholders.
