By FAITH RONOH
The University of Eldoret is set to roll out a special programme on traditional therapies that prevent infectious and non-infectious diseases. The programmes will be offered at certificate, Diploma and postgraduate Diploma levels in a bid to compliment traditional herbalists across the country.
Professor Jacob Bitok, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor said there is need for research, capacity building and general drug discovery from natural resources and the institution intends to start the programme.
“This university has qualified researchers and herbal specialists who play crucial and resource roles in providing traditional knowledge. For this reason, the university has seen the need to offer special training programmes in traditional therapies,” said Dr Bitok. Bitok made the remarks yesterday at the institution during a workshop that brought together North Rift Herbalist Group Association (NRHGA) and top officials of the university.
The don said the programme would incorporate both students and herbal specialists who will work towards fostering collaborative research in indigenous products. Bitok further disclosed that the institution will set up an arboretum where variety of plants to be utilised for research.
At the same time Prof Paul Ndalut, a Biochemistry professor at the University noted that China has been on the frontline implementing use of herbal medicine something that the country can borrow from them. “Traditional herbal drugs can be a platform for crucial drug discoveries if proper research is done. In the long term, we want to validate herbal medicine and discover if they can cure various diseases,” Mr Ndalut said.
Ndalut said the university will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NRHGA to foster their working relation as they embark on rolling out a curriculum for the programme.
