health
Nigeria poised to become major traditional medicine exporter
Nigeria could become a net exporter of traditional medicines within a year, potentially surpassing oil revenue, according to the NNMDA DG. Lawmakers pledge support.
Nigeria could become a net exporter of traditional medicines within a year, potentially surpassing oil revenue, according to the NNMDA DG. Lawmakers pledge support
The Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Professor Martins Emeje, has announced ambitious plans for Nigeria to become a significant global player in the traditional medicine market.
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Speaking during a visit from the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance in Lagos, Professor Emeje stated that with the right governmental backing and policies, the nation possesses the potential to become a net exporter of natural medicines within the next 12 months.
He boldly suggested that this sector could even generate more revenue for Nigeria than its current reliance on oil.
Professor Emeje expressed confidence in the NNMDA’s capacity to develop globally accepted natural medicines, provided the agency receives adequate staffing and financial support.
He passionately called upon lawmakers to actively support the existing resolution on natural medicine by allocating the necessary financial and human resources. “I need at least 15,000 staff to get this country to turn around, and nobody will be looking for oil money,” he asserted.
Outlining a strategic vision, Professor Emeje explained, “If they give me 15,000 staff, we will deploy 20 to each local government, and in 12 months, this country will be a net exporter of medicinal plants and natural medicines—both in their raw form, processed and standardised, and as medical products for intervention.”
He further envisioned a future where Nigerians would have “100 per cent access to medicine and healthcare—universal health coverage, using our own natural medicine.”
The Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Compliance, Badau Ahmed, who led the delegation, responded positively to the NNMDA’s vision.
He affirmed that the development of natural medicine would significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the country and, if successfully implemented, would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign and imported pharmaceutical products.
Mr. Ahmed assured the NNMDA of the lawmakers’ readiness to support their efforts in developing a comprehensive natural medicine sector. He also highlighted the potential for large-scale development of natural medicine to create substantial job opportunities for Nigeria’s youth nationwide.
“This move by the NNMDA to develop and promote traditional medicine is encouraging. It will reduce costs and dependence on foreign medicine,” he stated. “So, at the same time, this plan will help our teeming youths by creating job opportunities in our communities across the country.”
The committee chairman requested the NNMDA to formalise their plans in writing and submit them for legislative action, pledging to “take it from there and put it into action.”
This working visit follows a recent motion adopted by the House of Representatives on the “need for Nigerians to promote and prioritise natural medicine.
” The motion, sponsored by Mr Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, highlighted the global trend towards nature-based remedies and emphasised the accessibility and preference for traditional medicine in many Nigerian communities. Mr Ukpong-Udo expressed concern that Nigeria had not fully capitalised on its natural medicine potential, often subordinating it to imported alternatives.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Healthcare Services and Science and Technology to collaborate with stakeholders and the NNMDA to “strategise with stakeholders and the Natural Medicine Development Agency” and to “connect the possibilities of natural medicine, reorient Nigerians, and look inwards for solutions to health challenges.”
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The UK is testing five-day breast cancer radiotherapy in a major trial that could reduce hospital visits and treatment costs for patients
The United Kingdom has launched a major clinical trial involving more than 1,000 participants to determine whether breast cancer radiotherapy can be shortened from three weeks to five days without compromising its effectiveness in preventing the disease from returning.
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The government-funded FAST-Forward Boost trial, being conducted at 39 hospitals across the UK, will investigate whether a shorter course of radiotherapy combined with an additional targeted dose, known as a boost, can provide effective treatment for patients following breast cancer surgery.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care announced the development on Friday, October 30, describing the study as part of efforts to improve cancer treatment and make care more convenient for patients.
Led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the study aims to recruit 4,830 participants by 2028.
Those enrolled will be followed up for five years, with results expected in 2033.
If the approach proves successful, it could reduce the number of hospital visits required by patients, potentially saving them 10 journeys compared with the existing three-week treatment schedule.
The department said the shorter schedule could also reduce transport expenses and the time patients spend away from work and family.
It could additionally ease pressure on the National Health Service by freeing up radiotherapy capacity for other patients.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the trial reflected the country’s efforts to use medical research to improve cancer care.
“This trial shows how the UK is using our world beating research capabilities to pursue huge improvements and transformations in cancer treatment for patients,” she said.
Why the radiotherapy trial matters
Radiotherapy uses carefully targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from growing.
For many people with breast cancer, it is recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of the disease returning in the treated area.
A treatment boost involves delivering an additional dose of radiation to the area considered to have a higher risk of recurrence, usually the site where the tumour was removed.
The FAST-Forward Boost trial is examining how this additional treatment can be incorporated into a shorter schedule.
Reducing treatment from three weeks to five days could make a considerable difference to patients who must travel regularly to hospitals.
The impact may be particularly significant for people living far from specialist cancer centres, those with limited transport options and patients balancing treatment with employment or family responsibilities.
However, the trial is designed to establish whether the shorter approach is effective and safe for the patients being studied. Its results will be important in determining whether the treatment schedule can become a wider option in clinical practice.
UK expands breast cancer screening efforts
The announcement comes as the British government intensifies efforts to improve breast cancer screening, encourage early diagnosis and strengthen support for patients.
The Department of Health and Social Care said screening uptake among women receiving their first invitation had risen to 63.6 per cent, its highest level in a decade.
Despite the improvement, around four in 10 women invited for their first screening appointment still do not attend.
The government is also working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research and NHS England on studies examining how artificial intelligence could support the analysis of mammograms.
The technology is being explored as a way to assist the assessment of breast screening images, although its role and effectiveness must be established through appropriate research and clinical evaluation.
In addition, the government has partnered with breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Now for three years to help women recognise symptoms, find reliable information and access support after treatment.
Together, the initiatives reflect a broader approach to breast cancer care, combining screening, research into treatment improvements and support for people living with the disease.
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For now, the five-day radiotherapy approach remains under investigation. With final results not expected until 2033, the FAST-Forward Boost trial will need to establish whether reducing treatment time can deliver comparable cancer control while maintaining patient safety.
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