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".