Natural resources for HIV/AIDS

Workshop participants

HOORC livelihoods specialist Dr Barbara Ngwenya, Dr M. Leteane, a virologist, of the University of Botswana's Dept. of Biological Sciences and Dr K. Marobela, a cell biologist working with the Centre for Scientific Research, Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation (CESRIKI) at UB, ran a workshop for traditional healers, Sharing Our Knowledge -- Using our Natural Resources for the Management of HIV/AIDS in Maun on 23 September 2008. Approximately 60 traditional health practitioners, including herbalists and community health extension workers from Ngamiland District, shared their knowledge of local plants and learned how biologists evaluate the efficacy of natural medicines through testing of samples brought by the participants. Sixty-five samples of plants used by the traditional healers were collected for further testing: results will be shared with participants at another workshop to be held in early 2009. The workshops are sponsored by the University of Botswana's Office of Research and Development and CESRIKI.
Samples of herbal products brought to the workshop