The Federal Government has been urged to incorporate alternative medicine and implement urgent mental health reforms as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s mounting healthcare challenges.
This call was made during the ‘Health Talk’ seminar series held in Abuja on Thursday, themed “Promoting Healthy Well-being Through Alternative Medicine.” The event brought together health experts, advocates, and civil society stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for improving public health.
Among the key speakers were Emeka Chimezie, a health advocate, and Ambassador Zainab Mohammed, a prominent women’s rights activist. Chimezie stressed the importance of exploring herbal and alternative medicine as viable options for managing life-threatening illnesses, noting that many developed countries are already shifting toward such practices.
“Government should seriously consider supporting and testing alternative medicines, especially locally developed products that have shown promise,” Chimezie said. “We’re losing lives daily due to neglect and unhealthy lifestyles. With government backing, we can harness our indigenous knowledge to extend life expectancy and enhance well-being.”
Zainab Mohammed focused on the growing mental health crisis, especially among women, attributing it to factors such as gender-based violence (GBV), hormonal imbalances, and depression. She called for the creation of more counseling centers, as well as nationwide awareness campaigns to address the stigma and neglect surrounding mental health.
She also proposed advocacy visits to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women Affairs to foster stronger collaboration and promote the establishment of community-based mental health centers across Nigeria.
The seminar, jointly organised by Emiral Global and Abuja Women Dance, underscored the need for inter-ministerial collaboration and grassroots interventions to improve access to holistic healthcare.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized that alternative medicine and mental health reform must be prioritised to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable deaths. The call comes amid widespread concern over the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgent need for sustainable, inclusive solutions to the country’s dual burden of physical and mental health crises.
