On Tuesday the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, berated President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government over moves to import herbal treatment from Madagascar.
In an interview with Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, he said the federal government failed to show leadership by opting to import COVID-19 cure from Madagascar.
Recall that on Monday the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 yesterday disclosed that Buhari approved the importation of Madagascar’s COVID-19 cure.
Also, recall that Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, had confirmed that plants used in producing Madagascar’s COVID-19 cure can be found in Nigeria.
Ehanire explained that when the herbal drug arrives in Nigeria, it will be subjected to analysis by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
However, Ologbondiyan said it is strange that the government would order the importation of COVID-19 cure when such herbs can be found in Nigeria.
According to Ologbondiyan: “Our party the PDP has always canvassed for homegrown approaches to the issue of COVID-19.
“We have demanded that the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in conjunction with the NCDC should ensure that our medical doctors, Epidemiologists, those in the orthodox and unorthodox medicals are supported in seeking homegrown solutions, that has been the opposition of the PDP.
“It is rather strange to us that rather than them we are going outside our country to import herbs and medications which we have all around us here, it is very strange.
“We have herbs locally which can be used for the purpose of treating COVID-19 and we are now going ahead to import the same from Madagascar. This is strange and does not show leadership on the side of the government.”
