The project PhytoKat in Katanga (DRC): conditions for the integration of traditional medicine in modern healthcare and a model answer against anthropogenic erosion of biodiversity

The project PhytoKat in Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo: conditions for the integration of traditional medicine in modern healthcare The D.R. Congo still faces multiple health problems. Notably the access to conventional medicine is limited; as in most Sub-Saharan countries, traditional medicine is the primary, and often the only, source of care for a majority of the population and the WHO advocates its recognition and modernization for primary health care. This pilot project aims to establish the necessary foundation for progress in this direction in Katanga: . The conditions for the introduction of traditional practices in modern medicine will be evaluated (quality of the practitioners and diagnostics; quality, efficiency, safety of treatments); . Many plants used in traditional medicine have already been documented in Katanga; certain traditional practices have been validated by the identification of active compounds. The project proposes to deepen the botanical, pharmacological, chemical and agronomic study of these interesting species; . In the context of regional erosion of plant diversity, excessive harvesting of some vulnerable medicinal species could represent a serious threat; developing a conservation strategy is urgent and requires an inventory of their current distribution. Through 5 doctoral theses in pharmacognosy, biomedical and agronomic sciences, the project will aim at correcting the weaknesses identified by the recent Joint Context Analysis, performed in R.D. Congo at DGD initiative, for the domain environment / natural resources: 'Lack of information, knowledge and awareness among decision makers and local communities on the benefits of biodiversity-related development'

Universities and community-based research in developing countries: community voice and educational provision in rural Tanzania

The main focus of recent research on the community engagement role of universities has been in developed countries, generally in towns and cities and usually conducted from the perspectives of universities rather than the communities with which they engage. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the community engagement role of universities in the rural areas of developing countries, and its potential for strengthening the voice of rural communities. The particular focus is on the provision of primary and secondary education. The paper is based on the assumption that in order for community members to have both the capacity and the confidence to engage in political discourse for improving educational capacity and quality, they need the opportunity to become involved and well-versed in the options available, beyond their own experience. Particular attention is given in the paper to community-based research (CBR). CBR is explored from the perspectives of community members and local leaders in the government-community partnerships which have responsibility for the provision of primary and secondary education in rural Tanzania. The historical and policy background of the partnerships, together with findings from two case studies, provide the context for the paper

The project PhytoKat in Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo: conditions for the integration of traditional medicine in modern healthcare

The project PhytoKat in Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo: conditions for the integration of traditional medicine in modern healthcare Bakari Amuri, Meerts Pierre, Vandenput Sandrine, Okombe Victor, Ngoy Edouard, Ngoy Shutcha Mylor, Kahola Tabu Olivier, Kampemba Mujinga Florence, Nkulu Fyama Jules, Duez Pierre. The D.R. Congo still faces multiple health problems. Notably the access to conventional medicine is limited; as in most Sub-Saharan countries, traditional medicine is the primary, and often the only, source of care for a majority of the population and the WHO advocates its recognition and modernization for primary health care. This pilot project aims to establish the necessary foundation for progress in this direction in Katanga: . The conditions for the introduction of traditional practices in modern medicine will be evaluated (quality of the practitioners and diagnostics; quality, efficiency, safety of treatments); . Many plants used in traditional medicine have already been documented in Katanga; certain traditional practices have been validated by the identification of active compounds. The project proposes to deepen the botanical, pharmacological, chemical and agronomic study of these interesting species; . In the context of regional erosion of plant diversity, excessive harvesting of some vulnerable medicinal species could represent a serious threat; developing a conservation strategy is urgent and requires an inventory of their current distribution. Through 5 doctoral theses in pharmacognosy, biomedical and agronomic sciences, the project will aim at correcting the weaknesses identified by the recent Joint Context Analysis, performed in R.D. Congo at DGD initiative, for the domain environment / natural resources: 'Lack of information, knowledge and awareness among decision makers and local communities on the benefits of biodiversity-related development'

The PhytoKat project in Katanga DR Congo: a multidisciplinary approach for solving environmental and societal problems

As is the case in most African countries, DR Congo faces multiple health problems, notably a limited access to conventional medicine. For most people, traditional medicine (TM) is the primary, and often the only, accessible source of care; TM covers the primary health needs of 80% of rural and urban populations who mainly rely on plants as sources of drugs. Considering the rapid population growth (3.5%/year in RDC), the demand for medicinal plants implies a risk of extinction for several species, which requires to supplement supply by agriculture, possibly family farming. The WHO advocates the modernization of TM in developing countries for primary health care to face health challenges such as malaria or infectious diseases. The PhytoKat pilot project aims to establish the necessary foundation for progress in this direction in Katanga by (i) evaluating the conditions for integrating traditional practices in modern medicine; (ii) deepening the botanical, agronomical, pharmacological and chemical studies of interesting plants; and (iii) developing, in the context of a regional erosion in plant diversity, an urgent inventory of medicinal species current distribution for a reasoned conservation strategy. Through a multidisciplinary team including agronomists, chemists, pharmacists and veterinarians, the project aims at correcting the gaps identified by the recent Joint Context Analysis, performed in DR Congo at Belgian government initiative, for the domains environment / natural resources: 'Lack of information, knowledge and awareness among decision makers and local communities on the benefits of biodiversity-related development'

Addiction in the Light of African Values: Undermining Vitality and Community

In this article I address the question of what makes addiction morally problematic, and seek to answer it by drawing on values salient in the sub-Saharan African philosophical tradition. Specifically, I appeal to life-force and communal relationship, each of which African philosophers have at times advanced as a foundational value, and spell out how addiction, or at least salient instances of it, could be viewed as unethical for flouting them. I do not seek to defend either vitality or community as the best explanation of when and why addiction is immoral, instead arguing that each of these characteristically African values grounds an independent and plausible account of that. I conclude that both vitalism and communalism merit consideration as rivals to accounts that Western ethicists would typically make, according to which addiction is immoral insofar as it degrades rationality or autonomy, as per Kantianism, or causes pain or dissatisfaction, à la utilitarianism