Staff Reporter

His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde E.D Mnangagwa has called for the prioritization of the manufacture of products using locally available natural endowments.

President Mnangagwa said this whilst addressing delegates at the Launch of the new Strategic Plan for the National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) (2021-2025) and the medicine COFSOL.

COFSOL is a Zimbabwean product manufactured by NBA and is a specially formulated cough syrup developed from local plant based raw materials.

President Mnangagwa highlighted that the nation would emerge stronger through the adaptation of traditional and natural resources for people’s health.

“Given the health promoting properties of indigenous plants, I challenge the National Biotechnology Authority, other institutions of higher learning and the private sector, complemented by our skilled human capital to use their scientific knowledge and innovation to further research and development in traditional medicines. The manufacturing of more products using our locally available natural endowments should be prioritized

As a nation, we will undoubtedly emerge stronger through the adaptation of our traditional and natural resources for our health and well-being,” President Mnangagwa said.

The President went on to say that the development was testament of the potential of Education 5.0 and that the pharmaceutical sector had to invest in manufacturing its own medication by value adding traditional plants.

“This development is evidence of the potential of the heritage based Education 5.0 policy. Riding on the successes scored to date, it is imperative that the pharmaceutical sector shifts it paradigm from being mere wholesalers and retailers of drugs produced in other jurisdictions. The time has come for the sector to vigorously pursue and invest in manufacturing of our own drugs and medicines. Concerted efforts must be made to dedicate personnel and expert to achieve this objective.

“The commercial potential of zumbani and other traditional plants, whose value addition potential is under-exploited, remains essential. The sector must explore, research and development around many more plants and natural products occurring within our country,” President Mnangagwa said.

President Mnangagwa is always reiterating that “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” and this is exactly what NBA seeks to achieve.