Private varsity unveils plan to establish trado-medical research institute

The management of Arthur Javis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River, has announced plans to establish an institute of trado-medical research in the university.

The Chancellor, Mr Arthur-Javis Archibong, made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday in Calabar.

Archibong said that the initiative was part of the institution’s effort to promote research in local content creation and solutions towards the treatment of ailments.

He said that the institute would make use of the wide range of herbs from surrounding forest resources in its research.

The chancellor further said that the centre would make use of tested traditional medicine practitioners to develop treatments for ailments.

He said that special attention would be given to research in the treatment of hemorrhoids, prostate, diabetes, asthma, fibroid, epilepsy, bone fracture, among others.

Archibong said that the plan was in with the Federal Government’s vision for establishing the department of Traditional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Dr Joe Edet, said that traditional medicine had remained a part of African culture even before the advent of colonialism.

”Our university is not claiming to pioneer traditional medicine, before the advent of colonialism, Africans took care of themselves with herbs.

“The research institute will be an improvement in the use of traditional medicine, it should be applauded,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Okoroiwu Henshaw, the Dean, Basic Medical Services, said that the research institute would not engage in guess work.

”We shall provide empirical data through proper pre-conditional and post treatment results.