Adebukola Adefule-Ositelu is a professor of Ophthalmology and Chairman, Lagos State Conventional Medication Board (LSTMB). Adefule-Ositelu, who additionally found a bitter kola-based eye drop for glaucoma, on this interview with CHUKWUMA MUANYA and CHARLES OZIOMA spoke on how far she has gone along with her work.
How far have you ever gone with the bitter kola-based eye-drop you found ten years in the past?
The work is concluded and we have now offered it on the World Ophthalmology Convention. The one factor with Nigerians is that we favor orthodox drugs to the standard ones. However what I’m comfortable about is that whether it is garbage, you’ll not see it on the Web as a result of it’s on Google already. In case you Google glaucoma and pure product, it’s my identify that may come first. Many individuals have carried out researches after what I’ve carried out however it’s my identify that may come first. Additionally, we revealed all of our examined theories in scientific journals. We took swoop from the affected person eye from the clinic to take away their discharges from their eye, took to the lab then we matched it comparatively with Garcinia kola (bitter kola) and it computed very successfully and it proved it as antibiotic.
Then luckily sufficient, it was the Harmattan interval when Apollo was circulating. We utilized it on conjunctivitis and it labored. I accompanied one in all my relations to go to the kids at Meran. Not one of the academics had been round; it was the Open Day. We found that about eight of them had Apollo and even the boy we went to go to had Apollo. I used to be carrying the bitter kola eye drop about.
Since I noticed that it was working for animals, I began utilizing it on myself as a result of I had hint of glaucoma.
So, I simply introduced it alongside and since there was nobody to take permission from, I assumed it could be dangerous for me to simply depart the kids after making use of the attention drop as a result of I can’t really feel snug. After inserting it, inside two hours, they began feeling higher, which prompted us to do a examine on Apollo, which was the second paper, and the attention drop got here out as really antiviral. Then we additionally in contrast it with fungal infections. We took fungal discharges from affected person and it in contrast comparatively with typical antifungals. The examine got here out very effectively, which proved the attention drop was antifungal. So, we acquired volunteers on human beings, individuals who had been and we did this examine in three universities- Lagos State College Instructing Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo College and Nationwide Eye Centre at Kaduna. And I’m comfortable as a result of all of us who did that examine have develop into professors. The analysis contributed loads to our upgrading. And we had been additionally capable of uncover that it was very efficient on open angle glaucoma and likewise ocular hypertension. And since then, those that volunteered, up until at the moment, have refused to cease utilizing it. They nonetheless demand for the attention drop and they’re spreading the excellent news. I additionally went to a laboratory in Texas, United States. I took the ready one and took recent Garcinia kola nut with me. I noticed one in all their leaders there, Dr Mac Donald. He took it but it surely took me about two years to get something from them. I simply stored pestering them and by the point they launched it, we noticed the gorgeous properties. They analysed it and it was very useful. So, proving to us that what these of us had been experiencing had been really true with what they’ve discovered. However the one factor they informed me was that that they had loads on their fingers and they might not be capable of be a part of me. However we continued right here and we had been capable of produce so many papers. I additionally despatched to Cameroon, the College of Buea, to be exact. They even discovered another properties aside from what we knew, which was fairly fascinating.
From there, we began to refine the product, to do the packaging, make it worldwide.
Then I went to the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) earlier than it was inaugurated, which was in 1987. It formally began in 1987. About 9 papers have been revealed. Though the NAFDAC course of was so rigorous, I lastly acquired it registered.
What have been the challenges encountered in creating the product?
Effectively, primary is the African angle. We have to embrace our personal. I’m a Reverend and a robust Christian and I do my greatest to comply with the doctrine of Christ however then, so that you can say African merchandise are fetish or they’re cultic, it is vitally unfair and ignorant. Though I make a joke out of this however when the white man got here, we had sufficient energy and authority to have restricted them. Ordinarily, phrases that the Yoruba can say to them would have stopped them fully from invading. However there’s something improper with us: greed, lack of affection, selfishness and inferiority advanced. As a result of we had been combating one another, they allowed slave commerce they usually had been prospering, promoting their fellow people. The white noticed that this factor they had been doing was not so good however they had been after their very own curiosity. Then they introduced the Bible, Quran and taught us to shut our eyes. Whereas we had been praying, they began pilfering the whole lot we had. They eliminated all the perfect issues in our lives and left us with empty brains. It led to them whitewashing our brains, in order that we have now no confidence in ourselves. We really feel inferior. And a lot of the issues we have now, they don’t have, if we’re to be frank about it.
Civilization began right here, even vaccination began right here. It was in the course of the time of smallpox when folks had been having smallpox. I’m speaking of years, centuries again. However we don’t do it anymore. Now, the Bible I used to be referring to within the first chapter says God created each plant. That very same chapter, verse 29 says, “All of the vegetation are on your meals.” On the final web page, it says the leaf is for therapeutic of the nations. And who’re the nations? We’re. If we’re doing conventional factor, do it the right manner and to not harm one other individual. We’re selling God’s and pure work. If in case you have constipation and you’re taking a whole lot of oranges, it helps, until there’s something else connected to it. We’ve got our personal issues. Allow us to start to get up from the lethal slumber and start to understand what we have now, discover them, analyse them, standardise them and get them prepared for consumption as a result of that’s the way in which I see it. We even have the remedy for Ebola however folks received’t have a look at it. It’s what the white man does that’s more practical so far as they’re involved.
Already, we have now remedy for COVID-19 however the vaccination is extra essential and so forth and so forth.
India, China and different European international locations are taking undue benefit of us due to our angle. However we are able to change our angle and worth ourselves extra. Now, discuss of fetish and cultic; it’s within the Bible and Quran. The satan is there. It’s what you selected to be. If you wish to be good, be good and vice versa. It’s not our conventional issues which are unhealthy; it’s the angle of the folks. It’s not what God has blessed us with. It’s a very wealthy endowment. We’re trying as much as the federal government to offer us sufficient help as a result of this place just isn’t befitting. We’d like a greater place the place we are able to perform researches and doc.
What has been the help from the Federal Ministry of Well being, NAFDAC and different authorities companies?
No help in any respect.
What knowledgeable the analysis into natural eyedrop, particularly bitter kola?
I acquired the notion from an octogenarian who I’ve been treating for about 15 years at LUTH. He simply determined to ship me the recipe he was utilizing, which I didn’t know and perceive. He simply stated he wished to offer me one thing. Then after analyzing him, I used to be going to offer him one other prescription. He informed me to attend. He introduced out all of the prescriptions I’ve been giving him for years. He informed me he had not been utilizing my drugs; he has simply been coming, in order that I look at his eyes, do investigation and ensure the efficacy of what he had been utilizing. He then informed me put together it. He stated the issue runs in his household. I thanked him, accepted it from him and put it in my drawer. When it acquired to my stage of promotion… In case you get to my stage and you don’t do analysis, you’ll not get promoted. I remembered what the octogenarian gave me and introduced it out of my drawer and I needed to write for a grant, which College of Lagos gave me. I began with animals, several types of animals and the consequence was very fascinating. We needed to gag one of many animals (canine) and inside two weeks of postulating this factor to the eyes, we found that we didn’t have to gag the canine as a result of it was so pleasant and even wagging its tail at us, which suggests one thing good was occurring. The opposite animals too did painting fascinating attributes.
You additionally stated you may have a bitter kola remedy to Ebola?
Google and verify! I used to be a visitor speaker at NAFDAC’s convention, and the subject was collaboration between orthodox and the standard drugs practitioners. That was the time Ebola got here out. I additionally stated on the occasion that, have a look at how God has been magnanimous. See what he stated we should always use for Ebola – Ewedu and bitter kola.
Why are you so assured in regards to the effectivity of bitter kola?
In fact, I’m as a result of I used to be as soon as a affected person too and a first-hand witness. See me now. I don’t placed on glasses once more. I began placing on glasses at age 15. However since I began utilizing bitter kola, I ended utilizing glasses. I learn and write simply with out glasses as a result of bitter kola has reversed the damages. It has regulated my stress. The blood vessels are flowing correctly. It additionally has some antioxidants which are producing important well being to the layers of the eyes.
What have been your challenges as an opthalmologist venturing into conventional drugs?
I don’t know the way I acquired into conventional drugs. In any case these researches and publications, I needed to do my inaugural lecture in 2010. Often, the college will publish simply earlier than the inaugural lecture they usually did.
Lots of them turned up at that lecture. On the finish of the lecture, a few of them waited and launched themselves to me and informed me they had been going to ask me to their assembly, which I attended. And from there, they made me the chairman of one thing there. And seeing their want, I began to coach them. I used to be arranging seminars and workshops for them. From there, I meet the chairman of the board, the previous chairman earlier than me, Dr. Bumi Omoshehinde, who additionally was my scholar within the medical faculty, who was fairly impressed together with the registrar. I additionally acquired them concerned on this coaching and seminars and I made positive that each one the members got here to register on the board. Most of them had been simply training it and never being skilled about it.
Because the chairman of Lagos State Conventional Medication Board, what has been your impression/achievements in the direction of creating the observe?
Quite a bit has been carried out. Sadly, the final chairman did a whole lot of work however he wasn’t changed and there was a vacuum for 5 years. So, by the point this new board got here on, there was no construction on floor for it to work with; only a coordinator who was a biochemist and was utilizing his vitality and curiosity to run the place. It has been very robust since we took over. Even this very workplace only in the near past acquired renovated as a result of it was flooded, and rats and cats had been sneaking in. Additionally, there have been issues with the President and Prince as a result of everybody was claiming to be chief however we had been capable of reconcile them and make them perceive that with out unity, we can’t obtain something. We additionally retrained them. Conventional beginning attendants, Baba Ashegun, Alagbos, faith-based, and so forth are being captured and retrained. The one factor left now’s monitoring and enforcement however we have now no automobiles to do this.
Conventional beginning attendants have been essential in well being delivering in Lagos state. How far have you ever gone in integrating and coaching them?
They’ve gone far. They’re effectively organised and monitored. Even in the course of the 5 years when there was no board, they nonetheless stored on organising themselves. They’ve associations within the six zones of Lagos that are: Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island, Ikeja and Epe. These individuals are really useful to return to the board for six weeks coaching after which they’re given certificates and never left to observe.
After that, they’re despatched to the final hospitals and see how they will enhance upon their very own expertise. When they’re by way of, they go for an additional three months coaching at Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC) for extra intensive coaching. The beginning attendants ship twins, triplets and what have you ever with none issues in any respect. Though, we have now some faux beginning attendants round popularly known as quacks, which aren’t skilled however are auxiliary nurses being skilled by the orthodox physician. However as a result of they can’t match effectively, they suppose there’s a loophole within the conventional aspect, they now swap to assert conventional practioners.
These individuals are those inflicting the issues by setting drip, which conventional practioners don’t do.
Do you may have the standard remedy or remedy for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
Effectively, I do know they’ve issues that may convey the CD4 (a marker of the immune system) down, will enhance wellness. The viral load shall be lowered to subsequent to nothing. It boosts their immunity however I’m nonetheless trying to find those who actually remedy HIV. I wish to check the medicine of those who have the remedy in my clinic personally by bringing those who have examined optimistic beforehand and acquired cured outrightly by the medication earlier than we name it a proof.
Most cancers has develop into rampant within the society, what’s Lagos state Conventional Medication Board doing about it?
Some most cancers run within the household whereas some are as a result of reckless lifestyle, then some are as a result of what we devour particularly quick meals. We advise folks to take pure merchandise like vegetable as an alternative. We even have antioxidants and immune boosters just like the ginger and garlic. We do have the remedy for most cancers. Actually, we have now circumstances of cures and I’m one in all them. I had kidney issues. However we have now many different examples. And really quickly I’m hoping we’d be capable of get journals for higher articulation and documentation of the circumstances and likewise inform the populace. Not too long ago, which was on the eleventh of this month (November), there was a 4th anniversary of Nigerian natural practioners the place they selected to deal with ten most cancers circumstances free, ten sickle cell anaemia free and ten circumstances of individuals with fibroids free. We attended and it is happening. So, we are attempting to collate knowledge and if given the time and assets, we are going to do it.
The marketplace for anti-ageing pure dietary supplements and detox diets are booming in Nigeria. Can pure dietary supplements certainly forestall or delay ageing? Do you suggest detox eating regimen?
In fact, detox will take away poisons from you and the free radicals will assault your hormonal cells. So, detox is essential and I strongly suggest it. It removes all of the undesirable radicals which are transferring freely and might assault any of your organs, which might trigger them to malfunction. And aside from workouts, while you eat effectively, you don’t age quick and robotically have higher well being.
What’s your suggestion on enhance healthcare in Nigeria?
Once more, eat home-based meals. Recognize and eat what God has given us right here. We don’t want polish rice, Ofada rice, the beans are there for us. Seasonal fruits, water and greens too.
