CBU to go herbal

GIDEON NYENDWA Ndola THE Copperbelt University (CBU) is in the process of introducing an integrated traditional medicine degree programme to combine conventional medical training with scientifically-validated traditional medicine. CBU School of Medicine dean David Mulenga said…

GIDEON NYENDWA
Ndola

THE Copperbelt University (CBU) is in the process of introducing an integrated traditional medicine degree programme to combine conventional medical training with scientifically-validated traditional medicine.

CBU School of Medicine dean David Mulenga said the university has requested for support from the National Health Research Authority (NHRA) on the proposed programme, as formal training in traditional and complementary medicine remains limited in Zambia.

Professor Mulenga said the programme, to be undertaken through the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, will provide a structured framework for training, research and clinical practice while ensuring that traditional medicine is subjected to scientific and ethical standards.

“The training of traditional alternative medicine is nowhere so much in our country. I am thinking that there’s a way you can engage with us in promoting this,” he said.

Prof Mulenga said this in Ndola during the first-ever Zambia symposium on research rigour, reproducibility and translational science, hosted by the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine.

NHRA director-general Victor Chalwe said the authority is ready to partner with CBU by providing regulatory guidelines and ensuring that the proposed programme complies with national research and health standards.

Prof Chalwe said traditional and complementary medicine have significant potential for research, discovery and commercialisation if properly investigated and regulated.

He said Zambia has a wide range of potential medicinal products that can be researched, developed and commercialised, creating value for manufacturers and contributing to the economy.

Prof Chalwe cited the development of artemisinin based malaria treatment as an example of how knowledge derived from traditional medicine can eventually contribute to commercially valuable pharmaceutical products.

He said NHRA has also established linkages with traditional practitioners, which will make it easier for researchers to identify practitioners and conduct studies on traditional medicines.

CBU vice-chancellor Imasiku Nyambe called for greater research rigour, transparency and integrity to ensure that scientific findings are credible, reproducible and useful to society. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home