- Promoting public health is key to advancing sustainable economic growth and development
The federal government has taken steps to prohibit the manufacture and use of harmful skincare products, particularly those containing harmful substances like hydroquinone and steroids, which pose serious health risks to many Nigerians, particularly women.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who disclosed during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) between the Ministry and Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute (USA) at the weekend in Abuja, said that promoting public health is key to advancing sustainable economic growth and development.
Nnaji noted that partnering with the Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute is an important milestone as it directly supports our national objectives of promoting Public Health, fostering innovation and advancing sustainable economic growth, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Eight Point Agenda.
The minister further said that through this collaboration, the nation is committed to offering innovative science-backed skin care solutions to combat harmful practices and provide safer alternatives.
He also said the partnership exemplifies the transformative power of Innovation, Science and Technology in tackling public health challenges and promoting sustainable growth, adding that it is a step towards creating an environment where women and other consumers can access safer skin care options as well as empowering them to make informed healthy choices.
He pointed out that the rise in the use of harmful skin care products, especially those containing harmful substances such as hydroquinone and steroids, poses serious health risks for many Nigerians, particularly women.
To this end, the minister commended the Institute for its dedication to promoting safe skin care practices and for its leadership in Research and Development.
Earlier, the President of the Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute, Dr. Edith Gibson said the institute has spent 10 years researching Tropical Skin Care, analysing more than 50,000 tropical skin samples to develop cutting edge treatments for common skin issues.
She further said the institute is committed to training professionals in the Derma sector, including beauticians, estheticians, junior medical professionals, nurses, pharmacists and medical doctors.