Related articles
- Singaporean Woman Dies After Taking Herbal Drug From Indonesia
- My Jakarta: Koh Abun, Traditional Chinese Medicine Vendor
- Herbal Remedy Popular in Taiwan Linked to Cancer and Disease
- Jamu Gets Fresh Eyes From Chemical-Wary Consumers
The Health
Ministry signed on Monday a new partnership agreement with 26 state
universities to create a national database of plants from across the
archipelago that have therapeutic effects.
“I’ve been
for some time bothered with how others have been claiming [our traditional
herbs], and how we still import 90 percent of raw materials for our medicines.
It would be wonderful if we can benefit from our own resources,” Health
Minister Nafsiah Mboi said on the sidelines of the signing event in Jakarta.
The head of
the ministry’s research and development agency, Trihono, said Rp 48 billion ($5
million) would be disbursed this year alone for the 26 universities to support
related research projects, including those aimed at finding active ingredients
in herbs traditionally believed to have therapeutic effects.
“As we have
only limited research funds, we will prioritize research outside Java and Bali,
because much research has been performed in Java-Bali,” Trihono said.
He added
that Indonesia had barely explored its “extraordinary” biodiversity, saying
thus far only five therapeutic plant species are registered with the ministry,
when it is believed that Indonesia’s flora boasts upwards of 1,000 other plants
with similarly therapeutic effects.
“South
Korea only has ginseng, but look at how it’s renowned everywhere. We have 1,000
therapeutic plants, we can do much better,” Trihono said.
No comments:
Post a Comment