The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II has tasked the Ministry of Health to commit more resources into the research of plant medicine.
This, he believes, is the best way of bringing out the great potentials that lies in traditional and plant medicine in the country.
Speaking at the launch of COA-FS, a new immune boosting dietary drug by the Center of Awareness (COA) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Nsumankwaahene of Asanteman, Baafuo Asabre Ababio speaking on behalf of His Majesty intimated the need for government to resource state agencies like Noguchi Memorial Institute to conduct more research into plant medicine.
According to him, plant medicine had proven to be better than the conventional drugs on the market since the former when properly prepared have no side effects after it had been taken.
CHARGE:
Otumfuo charged the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to intensify their gate-keeping role of ensuring that no drug enters the shores of the country without the necessary or proper certification.
According to him, it had become dangerous taking in food supplements nowadays because the Ghanaian market seems to have been flooded with questionable foreign drugs and food supplements.
However, he urged government through the Ministry of Health to collaborate with research institutions to ensure the needed attention were given to indigenous drugs that proves to be efficacious.
Commending the Center of Awareness, Otumfuo charged the Chief Executive and management to continue with more research into the drugs it produces so as to give the Ghanaian the best of traditional medicine.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH:
Dr Mrs Anastasia Yirenkyi, a Director of Research at the Ministry of Health speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia promised government’s resolve to partner with private institutions to ensure successes were achieved into plant medicine.
According to her, traditional medicine played an important role in the lives of the people, noting government had currently set up 19 centers at various district hospitals to provide herbal medicinal care to patients.
The Ministry, she stressed is aware that many depended on traditional medicine for cure of their ailments and therefore was committed to investing into more research into plant medicine.
She charged traditional medical practitioners to apply the high standards in the brewing of their respective drugs to ensure consumers derive the best results.
The Ministry, however, commended the strides made by Dr Samuel Ato Duncan, CEO of the Center of Awareness for the continuous research and production of good dietary supplements.
