Trump’s book-close on aids for HIV drugs, others: How Nigeria can cope

The recent decision by the United States’ President, Donald Trump, to suspension his country’s foreign aids has since jitters to the spines of Africans and other nationals, particularly those living deadly ailments such as HIV/AIDS. However, in this report, BLESSING OKOLA seeks medical experts and others’ advice on how Nigeria can cope.

Traditional medicine, also known as trado-medical, has been used for centuries in Nigeria to treat various health conditions, and its potential to contribute to the country’s healthcare system cannot be overstated. So, as Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of providing quality health care for its citizens, and with the President Trump’s decision, greater recognition should be accorded traditional medicine in complementing orthodox medicine. 

However, for trado-medical to be fully integrated into Nigeria’s health care system, it must be standardised to ensure it’s safe, effective, and consistent with orthodox medical standards.

According to experts, to address the challenges, the central government must take several steps, one of which is to establish a regulatory framework for trado-medical practices. This framework, they insist, should include standards for safety, efficacy, and quality, as well as mechanisms for oversight and enforcement.

Local efforts

On February 15, 2025, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, expressed confidence in the country’s ability to sustain its health care system independently, in response to the recent suspension of U.S. foreign aids by the Donald Trump administration.

According to him, the government has approved the ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty, thus positioning Nigeria to be part of a larger African market for locally produced medicines.

Pate said the move “aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its health system by leveraging domestic resources,” adding that the country had anticipated a decline in global financial aids even before the United States government publicly announced cuts to funding for agencies supporting developing countries.

Despite the anticipated funding challenges, Pate expressed gratitude to the United States for its extensive and generous support over the years, saying the Nigerian government “deeply appreciates the assistance received, which has played a crucial role in advancing the nation’s health care landscape.”

In a statement released Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and External Relations, Tashikalmah Hallah, the minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to prioritising health, adding that the focus has led to significant advancements and successes in the health care sector. This, he added, “reflects the government’s determination to improve the well-being of the citizens.”

He said, to this end, Nigerian lawmakers have proactively approved an additional $200 million for the nation’s health sector in the 2025 Budget and emphasised the country’s commitment to taking primary responsibility for the health of its population, highlighting on-going efforts to reduce dependency on external assistance.

This move, he said, aims to mitigate the impact of the funding shortfall from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s health initiatives.

He said, “For us, we are not complaining; we are full of appreciation to the U.S. government for the contribution they have made. The American people have contributed to taking care of over 1.3 million Nigerians with ante-retroviral therapies, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal, and child health. Nigeria intends to reduce reliance on external aids, particularly in light of the U.S. government’s transition.

While acknowledging past support, the minister explored alternative ways to sustain the Nigeria-U.S. partnership, including assessing the financial implications of absorbing externally funded initiatives into the public sector.

“We are going to work towards exiting the dependency on external assistance, particularly in view of the transition that the U.S. government has made. We have now completed our assessment of what it would take to address HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. As you may recall, during the Federal Executive Council meeting, President Bola Tinubu established a cabinet committee – including the Minister of Finance, Budget, myself, the President, the Minister of State for Defence, and the Governors’ Forum – to strategise on this transition.”

Consequently, he admitted that for Nigeria to build a sustainable future, it “must take ownership of her challenges and develop strategies that ensure self-reliance, particularly in critical areas of need.”

“As a responsible government, we recognise this as our challenge, affecting our population, and we must ensure we do not lose ground. We have evaluated the current situation and determined the necessary quantum of resources.

“Our next step is to identify funding sources to procure these commodities in a way that incentivises producers to invest and manufacture them here in Nigeria. This is the key to long-term sustainability – developing a supply chain that aligns with our local context.

Reactions, admonitions

Speaking exclusively to Blueprint Weekend, Dr. Emmanuel Nwusulor, the Assistant Director, Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said the country “is taking significant steps to develop its traditional medicine sector, recognising the wealth of knowledge and resources available locally.” 

He noted that the government had already established institutions like NAFDAC and the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency to regulate, research, and develop traditional medicine.

“These efforts aim to promote the safe use of herbal medicines, support local practitioners, and create a more inclusive health care system. For instance, NAFDAC assesses herbal products for toxicity and efficacy before approving them for human consumption.

“The government has also launched initiatives like the Essential Medicinal Plants List and the Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia to document and standardise traditional medicine practices. 

“Furthermore, the establishment of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the development of a degree program in Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nigerian universities demonstrate a commitment to integrating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare system,” he said.

He stressed that collaboration with international organisations like the World Health Organization and the International Standards Organization is also underway, ensuring that Nigeria’s traditional medicine sector meets global standards.

Nwusulor said further that by leveraging its rich cultural heritage and natural resources, “Nigeria can create a thriving traditional medicine sector that benefits both local communities and the global market.”

In a telephone chat with this reporter, Dr. Sonny Isemede, the Director, Patient Safety Africa, said, “Nigeria is making significant strides in developing policies to standardise traditional medicine practices. The inauguration of a national regulatory agency is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine. 

“This move is expected to be a blessing for Nigeria, as it will help to promote confidence in traditional medicine practices and encourage collaborations between traditional and orthodox medicine practitioners.”

According to him, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health has already established a department for Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, which aims to develop and implement policies that promote the safe and effective use of traditional medicine.

He said, “To further promote the development of traditional medicine in Nigeria, it’s essential to have an open and respectful dialogue between traditional and orthodox medicine practitioners. This dialogue should focus on finding ways to standardise traditional medicine practices, ensure their safety and efficacy, and promote collaboration between practitioners from both fields.

“Some potential questions to explore in this dialogue include: What are the current challenges facing traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria, and how can they be addressed; how traditional medicine practices can be standardised to ensure their safety and efficacy; what role should orthodox medicine practitioners play in supporting the development of traditional medicine in Nigeria and how we can promote greater collaboration and understanding between traditional and orthodox medicine practitioners.

“For as long as I can remember, discussions about traditional medicine have been on-going, but progress has been slow. Conferences and talks abound, but concrete actions are scarce. This is partly because people are uncertain about how to approach the topic, fearing accusations of undermining traditional medicine. As a result, many rely on scripted talks, hesitant to share their genuine thoughts.”

Continuing, he said, “The reality is that traditional medicine is shrouded in mystery, and the medical field has evolved to prioritise evidence-based practices. With the advent of artificial intelligence, progress in health care is accelerating. Unfortunately, traditional medicine has not kept pace, largely due to a lack of investment in research and development.

“This issue extends beyond traditional medicine; many African practices and industries have been neglected due to a cultural complex. Historically, we have downgraded and looked down on our own practices, prioritising foreign imports instead. This mindset has hindered our progress in various fields, including healthcare, engineering, and more.”

He noted that India has made significant progress in breaking down the mysticism surrounding traditional medicine, stressing that “they’ve developed a scientific approach, making traditional medicine more reproducible and evidence-based; this is a good starting point for Nigeria.”

He lamented that “Nigeria lacks proper knowledge management in traditional medicine. Conferences and research are conducted, but the information is not retained or built upon. Establishing academic institutions or a national institute of clinical excellence can help address this issue.”

Isemede, however, said, “Efforts are underway to regulate orthodox health care, focusing on patient-centered care; a policy and strategy document have been developed, and the next step is to implement these regulations.

“Journalists and media professionals can play a crucial role in raising awareness about traditional medicine and its regulation. Collaboration between stakeholders is essential for progress in this area.”

Also, Professor Mohammad Mohammad of the Medical and Dental Consultants, Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) who doubled as the president of Bayero University, Kano, said recent the decision by President Trump to halt foreign aid and withdraw from the World Health Organization will have far-reaching consequences for global health care, particularly in Africa. 

“The WHO plays a critical role in combating communicable diseases, and its efforts have been instrumental in controlling outbreaks like Covid-19. Nigeria, in particular, will feel the impact of this decision, as it relies heavily on foreign aids for its health care programmes. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a significant contributor to Nigeria’s health care sector, providing funding for programmes like HIV/AIDS treatment, malaria control, and family planning,” he said.

According to Mohammad, the withdrawal of USAID funding will lead to a significant gap in Nigeria’s health care budget, potentially disrupting essential services like immunisation programmes, HIV treatment, and malaria control. This could have devastating consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality rates, as well as a resurgence of diseases that were previously under control.

He said, “To mitigate these effects, the Nigerian government must explore alternative funding sources and develop sustainable health care financing mechanisms. This could involve increasing domestic funding for health care, partnering with other international organisations, or leveraging private sector investments.

“Ultimately, the decision to withdraw from the WHO and halt foreign aid is a wake-up call for African countries to take ownership of their healthcare systems and develop sustainable financing mechanisms. As you said, it’s likely that the government will reconsider its position over time, but for now, it’s essential to explore alternative solutions to prevent a catastrophe in the healthcare sector.”

He said further that, “Standardising traditional medicine practice in Nigeria is crucial for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of traditional medicinal products. As you emphasised, standardisation involves bringing scientific methods into traditional medicine practice, including clinical trials and testing to demonstrate the efficacy of traditional remedies.

“Some of the challenges facing traditional medicine practice in Nigeria include: the lack of formalisation, traditional medicine practice is often informal, with knowledge and skills passed down through family lines or apprenticeships.

“Also, there is a need for regulatory agencies to oversee traditional medicine practice, ensuring that only tested and trusted remedies are allowed to be marketed and sold. Traditional medicinal products can be contaminated with harmful substances or interact with other medications, posing health risks to consumers and Traditional medicinal products are often not standardised, making it difficult to determine their strength, quality, and safety.”

To address those challenges, he noted that Nigeria could learn from countries like China and India which “have successfully standardised and regulated their traditional medicine practices by establishing regulatory agencies, creating agencies responsible for overseeing traditional medicine practice, ensuring that remedies are safe, effective, and of high quality, developing standards for traditional medicinal products and establishing standards for the production, testing, and marketing of traditional medicinal products among others.” 

“It’s essential to recognise that there are genuine traditional medicine practitioners who can provide valuable contributions to health care. However, it’s equally important to address the issue of charlatans who prey on vulnerable individuals,” he said further.