By Chris Mugasha
Men with worries of developing prostate cancer should have no more worries as scientists and herbalists have teamed up to intensify research on prostate cancer treatment using a combination of traditional herbal medicine.
The government through the ministry of science and technology has extended a support of Sh200million to Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development a nongovernmental organization. Rukararwe is to assemble its herbalists who will team up with scientists.
The research will focus on adding value to Prunus Africana (omugote) and other herbs to provide a solution to Prostate cancer.
Caption: A herbalist at Rukararwe’s laboratory.
Dr. Hilda Ikiriza, the Project leader, and also a lecturer at the Department of Biology Mbarara University of Science and Technology explained that Prunus Africana has active compounds used in the treatment of prostate cancer, but said they want to explore other herbs that can boost its effectiveness.
The one year project will be conducted by Rukararwe at Rukararwe in Bushenyi district.
Genesis of the idea
The discussion about the idea started in 2021 when the Senior Presidential Advisor Mary Karooro Okurut invited the Minister of science and technology Dr. Monica Musenero and other health agencies like the World Health Organization to Rukararwe to show them the potential at Rukararwe.
Abby Ayebaze the Rukararwe project coordinator commended Karooro for creating the bridge stressing that it will result into something bigger for Bushenyi.
“We are happy that scientists are finally joining us to help us improve on what we have been doing without technical knowledge,” said George Kimezire the herbalists’ vice chairperson adding that, “this is bridging the gap that has always existed.”
Dr. Ikiriza said the success of this project will lead to more research on the treatment of other types of cancers using traditional medicine.
Addressing the traditional herbalists on Saturday at Rukararwe, Ikiriza congratulated Rukararwe for engaging government to support the research project.
“As scientists, we have said; what can we do? How can we intervene to help our society and that’s why we have come to team up with herbalists to add value to our traditional medicine,” Ikiriza said. She appealed to herbalists to always share knowledge with the scientists on herbal medicine.
Ivan Kahwa a researcher on the team said under this project they will also carry out ethno botanical survey to document the knowledge about traditional medicine from the elderly people who are ageing and dying.
Kahwa said that the project will also involve conducting an ethno-botanical survey to document the knowledge about traditional medicine from elderly people who are aging.
Kahwa further emphasized the need to document the different types of herbal medicine from the older generation and to train people, especially the young generation in traditional medicine to enable the continuity of this African knowledge.
Some important things you need to know about prostate cancer;
– Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system.
– The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age.
– Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide.
– Symptoms of prostate cancer include trouble urinating or decreased force of stream, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexpected weight loss, and unexplained fevers.
– Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other therapies.
– Early detection is key in treating prostate cancer successfully.
