IN response to the
most serious global health threat in a century, the University of Dar es
Salaam (UDSM) has allocated 1.5bn/-for
The pandemic is
having a catastrophic impact on the most vulnerable communities
worldwide and threatens progress in economic growth.
According to the
statement issued by the office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), the
varsity is encouraging its researchers to do more research related to
the global pandemic of Covid-19 and it is proposed the studies to focus
on economic, political and social implications of the deadly novel
virus.
Moreover, the
University is conducting applied research on the use of traditional
medicine to treat the associated symptoms of COVID-19 particularly
respiratory diseases.
Last Sunday,
President John Magufuli asked various institution including higher
learning institutions to conduct scientific research on traditional
medicines that could help to curb the covid-19.
On Thursday, the
office of UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor informed the public that the
varsity was doing everything in its capacity to come up with the
solution to the problem.
According to the
statement, so far, the varsity has already formed a team of staff
members to work on designing and developing an electro-mechanical
ventilator.
"A team of staff
members at the University of Dar es Salaam is currently working on
designing and developing an electro-mechanical ventilator," reads part
of the statement.
Moreover, the
University is also engaged in identifying, screening and analysing
available compounds and toxins in the selected natural products such as
fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants for fortification and developing
nutraceutical products.
"The focus is directed to antioxidants, anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory natural products," reads the statement.
It was further
established that as an academic institution, which also engage in
various research studies, the oldest higher learning institution has
already started the production of hand sanitisers by adhering to the WHO
and TMDA standards.
The University produces the raw materials needed including the making of ethanol and other needed ingredients.
Also the Textile
Unit of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in
collaboration with the Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC)
of the University of Dar es Salaam has started production of three
layer hi-tech face masks. The daily production capacity is 250 masks.
The masks are already being used by the members of the University community.
The University also
through the Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC) has
designed and developed two types of hand-washing machines, automatic and
foot operated.
On Monday, the
World Health Organisation (WHO) welcomed repurposing drugs, traditional
medicines and developing new therapies in the search for potential
treatments for the deadly virus around the world.
In its statement,
the organisation said it recognises that traditional, complementary and
alternative medicines have many benefits and Africa has a long history
of traditional medicine and practitioners that play an important role in
providing care to populations.
According to WHO,
medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua are being considered as
possible treatments for Covid-19 and should be tested for efficacy and
adverse side effects.
The Head of
Traditional Medicines Department at the National Institute for Medical
Research (NIMR), Dr Justine Omolo, said the move by WHO was something
that his institution had been doing and that it had already came up with
a formulation 'nutrition therapy' that intends to ease the symptoms of
Covid- 19.
"The recent
formulation introduced by NIMR is not a cure but it aims at helping
Covid-19 patients with severe flu and dry cough as the main symptoms of
the respiratory disease," he noted.
Dr Omolo stated
that they had already applied for ethical clearance certificate so that
they can be allowed to conduct research and administer the formulation
to patients in order to collect data.
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