The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has established a ministerial committee focused on developing the phytomedicine value chain to enhance the healthcare value chain and diversify the national economy.
This initiative represents a strategic effort to revamp Nigeria’s healthcare system by commercialising its indigenous medicinal resources.
At the inauguration, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, hailed the initiative as a pivotal step towards leveraging Nigeria’s rich biodiversity for health advancement and economic prosperity.
“Today marks a crucial moment in our shared dedication to transforming healthcare and unlocking the vast potential of our indigenous medicinal heritage,” he stated.
The phytomedicine value chain initiative aims to translate traditional medicinal knowledge into competitive, large-scale herbal products for global markets.
Salako highlighted that this effort could generate jobs across various sectors, including conservation, cultivation, production, and export, while positioning Nigeria as a key player in the fast-growing global herbal medicine industry.
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The newly established committee will focus on creating a commercialisation framework, identifying promising herbal products, proposing necessary policy reforms, and building partnerships with research institutions, traditional medicine practitioners, and the private sector.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to integrating traditional medicine into contemporary healthcare in alignment with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and guidelines.
The committee is expected to provide actionable recommendations within a set timeframe, paving the way for a sustainable, safe, and economically viable phytomedicine industry that supports universal health coverage and bolsters Nigeria’s economic resilience.