SUSAN MONDAY, REPORTS
The Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, has achieved another great feat in securing partnership between the Peoples’ Republic of China and Nigeria, in the development of Herbal Medicinal Products. This was disclosed in a Conference held in Abuja at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Complex on Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Ambassador of the People’s republic of China, Cui Jianchun said the Chinese embassy is working on collaborating with the Federal Government in creating a factory to produce joint traditional herbal products in the country.
The Ambassador said this yesterday in Abuja at the Nigerian-Chinese herbal medicine awareness and sensitization campaign/exhibition of herbal products, organised by the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) in collaboration with the Chinese embassy.
He explained that the collaboration will not only provide millions of jobs to Nigerians especially her youth but enable Nigerians appreciate alternative medicine.
Jianchun added that alternative medicine is cheaper, effective and more acceptable worldwide and a country like Nigeria should invest in its mass production and exports.
He stated, “First, both China and Nigeria have their rich herbal products and famous practitioners. Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine in our two countries and it has been very well studied and documented for centuries. Nowadays herbal medicine has already become an important and significant part of alternative medicine since it has the advantage of cost effectiveness and affordability. As we know, modern medical practice and pharmaceutical drugs are becoming more expensive that the common man can hardly afford them. From this perspective, the development of herbal products really will benefit the general public.
“Nigeria and China have already built a solid foundation in herbal products research and application, and we are big countries with vast and fertile land and suitable climate for planting herbs. We have every reason and full conditions for win-win cooperation in the planting of herbal products and the development of traditional medicines. From what I know, herbal products have been studied and used to effectively solve many medical problems, including stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, respiratory diseases and so on. Now in face of COVID-19, I want to use Lianhuagingwen (LH) capsules, a Chinese herbal product that is currently on the market, as an example. After a series of scientific trial and in light of the safety and effectiveness profiles, these results show that LH capsules can be considered to prevent the progression of COVID-19 after close contact with an infected person.
“This event will play a very positive role in mobilizing, sensitizing and training our young people about the knowledge of alternative medicine from natural products for the treatment of diseases, it will also showcase some already certified and effective herbal products that are good for human health.”
President NYC, Blessing Akinlosotu said traditional herbal medicine is an emerging market that can boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and assist in eradicating most ailments.
He said herbal products can liberate Nigerians and provide millions of jobs in Nigeria. He added that the establishment of herbal medicine factories in Nigeria in collaboration with the Chinese government will ease the process of production and enable mass exportation.