Globalization, Covid-19 pandemic and the politics of indigenous health development in Nigeria: An assessment of Bitter Kola, Garlic, Ginger, Lime and Turmeric as plants with Anticovid-19 properties in the Niger Delta Region

Umoh Udofia Sunday

Globalization, Covid-19 pandemic and the politics of indigenous health development in Nigeria: An assessment of Bitter Kola, Garlic, Ginger, Lime and Turmeric as plants with Anticovid-19 properties in the Niger Delta Region

Authors
Umoh Udofia Sunday

Abstract
This research x-rays Globalization, Covid - 19 Pandemic and the Politics of Indigenous Health Development in Nigeria with emphasis on how Bitter Kola, Garlic, Ginger, Lime and Turmeric can be deployed as plants with Anticovid-19 properties to emasculate the spread of the disease in the Niger Delta Region. To do this, the research adopts the Health Belief Theory developed in the 1950s by (Hochbaum 1958; Rosenstock 1966) ^{[14- 35]}. The theory assumes that belief has a psychological causal link between information, patronage and behaviour of consumers toward the consumption and administration of conventional or alternative indigenous medicine, it relates to the research in that it reveals the implication of negative propaganda of international pharmaceutical companies and the world health organisation regarding the use of indigenous medicine as alternative medication against the Covid19 virus. The study adopts descriptive design and generated data through secondary and primary sources like textbooks, published journal articles and specimen experiment and observation. A combined qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis via content, computational and transcriptional approaches reveals that indigenous health development is constrained by globalization matrix and the Nigeria medical institutions controlled behind the scene by multinational pharma companies and further argue that traditional roots, herbs,, barks and leafs if combined as prescribed can deter covid19.The study concludes that unless government protect and improve indigenous health sector through policy focus and public private partnership, the development of preventive or curative medicine for the covid19 pandemic will remained elusive. It recommends a more academic research into the potency of Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) Garlic (Allium sativum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), lime (Citrus limonum), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as potential indigenous herbal products for the production of a curative medicine against the disease.

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