The African Center of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine
Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS) at University of Lagos,
Nigeria in collaboration with the Traditional Complementary Medicine
Unite at the Ministry of Health and the School of Pharmacy here has
ended five days of training on Toxicological Evaluation of Herbal
Product for over 162 professional health workers and traditional healers
in Liberia.
Speaking at the close of the training on May 20, at the college of
health sciences, University of Liberia, the Executive Director of the
African Center of Excellence for Drug Research, Associate Professor, Dr. Omobolanel
Ade-Ademilua thanked the administrators for the five-day training.
Dr. Ade-Ademilua said the strategic plan of the University of Lagos
is to actually assist in developing a future for West Africa, with
support of the World Bank.
She said they have embarked on an eight-part project in Lagos to take
Liberia as one of those countries to collaborate within drugs
production, regulation as well as herbal medicine production and
regulation, respectively.
She stressed the need to develop regionally-grown medicines, noting
that traditionally, We have those medicines but [they] donate meet
international standards and this is the reason for these programs.
She urged participants to implement the knowledge acquired during the
five days training in order to make significant impact on society.
At the same time, Dr. Ade-Ademilua disclosed that ACEDHARS has
awarded fully-funded scholarships to 27 Liberian to pursue Master and
Ph.D. studies in medicines, using plants from Liberia.
She said the scholarship beneficiaries will go to Nigeria for
research, but they would need busy laboratory facility hence, she
appeals to the Government of Liberia for assistance to develop a
laboratory in the School of Pharmacy.
We want them to use Nigerian plants, we want them to use
Liberian plants, Liberian medicines because they can produce their own
products that they can make in Liberia, so these businesses can make for
attractions, concentration of extra before they can come to Nigeria.
Moreover, she appealed to the Government of Liberia to assist by
providing scholarships, because they can only do, but it is insufficient
to serve all of the students, disclosing that the program covers
studies for five Master degrees and five PhDs.
According to Dr. Ade-Ademilua, the project is sponsored by the
World Bank with US$6 million to the University of Lagos to develop West
and Central African countries, including Djibouti,
adding So, we are developing big countries to help develop drugs,
herbal medicines and regulation of drugs and herbal medicines.
Also speaking at the program, the director of complementary division
at the Ministry of Health (MOH) Mohammed Kamara thanked the ACEHDERS for
the partnership that has landed Liberia thus far, particularly efforts
that made the plan fruition.
My appreciation to everyone that took up their time to attend this
all-important training (herbal medicine toxicological evaluation and
result interpretation). This shows our support for the development of
herbal medicine in Liberia. Mr. Kamara said.
He noted that Liberia remains the highest potential in forest
resources on the west coast of Africa (NFI Reports 2018/2019). Its
average forest cover, given the NFI-driven forest definition that did
not include plantations as a single nation surpasses all other nations
in the Upper Guinean forests. This means that Liberia remains a vibrant
place for Herbal medicine practice.
He urged the scholarship beneficiaries to take advantage of the
opportunity to develop themselves and serve as advocates for the
promotion of safe and best practices in herbal medicine.
For her part, former Montserrado County District#7 Representative
Aloniza M. Ennos, thanked the facilitators and professors for a job well
done.
She said they have changed her mentality and she is going to change all iron pots in her house
The ex-lawmaker continued that usually when people think about herbalists, all that comes to mind is Juju coming from the bush
Participant Dr. Muya Karuah thanked his Nigerian counterpart for making him become Doctor of Pharmacy, of which he is proud.
Certificates and cash prizes of US$20 were awarded to each Best
Performer at the closing program, including Jimmy D. Carter, Davidson
Gargar, and Korto B. Joekollie
Best participating students include Yarnemon F. Sherman, Dr. F. Kwo
Akpeh Dolo, Charles W. Golongaye, Rachael Walker and Rebecca Gaye. Editing by Jonathan Browne