From Moses Emorinken, Abuja

The Director-General of National Institute for Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr Obi Adigwe has bemoaned the lack of investment, funding and prioritisation concerning Research and Development about African Traditional Medicines.

He noted that developing traditional medicines research has the potential for health and socio-economic development for Nigeria and the African continent.

In a statement to mark this year’s African Traditional Medicine Day, Adigwe called for the involvement of philanthropists, foundations, development partners and other private sector actors in the area of research and development of traditional medicines in Africa.

Read Also: NMA seeks research into fatality rate

“The choice of this year’s theme of the celebration: ‘Traditional Medicine: Research and Development’, was apt considering the hitherto neglected potential for health and socio-economic development for the continent.

“The Institute remains the first African Institute to develop a world-class phytomedicine from drug discovery up to clinical trials.

“The Institute’s activities in phytomedicines and related product development have also been brought to bear in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For instance, the Institute pioneered and strongly advocated indigenous manufacturing of hand sanitisers from locally sourced raw materials.

“Similarly Niprimune, its flagship immunomodulatory agent with very promising preclinical results is now receiving strong international funding attention for relevant clinical studies for COVID-19.