LETTER: Let LAUTECH introduce Pharmacy programme to shore up manpower deficit
Pharmacists are few in Oyo state. The course is offered by only first generation Universities; Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun state is the only state University in Nigeria which offers the course. This creates deficit in its manpower production. The reason is partly due to the fact that it is very expensive to establish and run the programme but l feel our LAUTECH should take on the enormous challenge to help shore up the deficit of manpower in the profession. Oyo state is known for its daring nature, so, it can do this. While l congratulate the new Vice Chancellor Prof Rasak Rom Kalilu on his appointment in substantive capacity, l encourage him to make establishment of Pharmacy programme a top priority. The College of Health Sciences can accommodate this and make use of the underutilized structure at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital which has four storey Pharmacy Department building and laboratories lying fallow. It is worth considering.
Advertisement
Furthermore, the hidden knowledge of root and herb is with the older generation which is not being documented. The older ones are dying with the hidden knowledge without transferring it to the younger generation. Painfully , the profession at the local level is going into extinction. Contrarily, the Chinese have succeeded in carrying out and deepening scientific research on them and packaging them for export to cure ailments through which they earn foreign exchange for their country. Nigeria can explore the opportunity to earn foreign exchange too.
In addition, Ogbomoshos are known to be verse in root and herb (Pharmacognosy) and botany. The local people may not have deep knowledge of the efficacy and dosage or pharmacology but it is time for the town and gown to interact for the benefit of humanity. Those who wish to submit their products for scientific research with the promise to protect patent right should be encouraged, it will be a plus to the institution to promote the ingenuity of our forefathers that have made use of these products such as: agbo, agunmu etc for ages.
Advertisement
The world is moving close to nature which is being promoted by WHO to reduce consumption of synthetic drugs identified as one of the causes of emerging diseases.
In view of the above submission, the establishment of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacy) in LAUTECH encompassing pharmacology, pharmacognosy, microbiological pharmacy, botany etc will be beneficial. The raw materials needed are within the environment where the institution is located though the facilities are very expensive to acquire.
Advertisement
Moreover, the youths would be encouraged to relate with the older generation to tap from their wealth of knowledge to conduct scientific research in the profession that is hitherto going into extinction at local level.
Interestingly, the people at the grassroot consumes agunmu and agbo because they believe they can cure different ailments, this has been the practice from the creation of the world. Let us add value to agunmu and agbo that can be produced in form of tablets,capsules & syrups.
Ismaila Abubakar, Abuja.
