Pharmacognosist Sees Potential In Bio Entrepreneurship
Monday, April 15, 2019
BUAN Professor Daniel Motlhanka Botswana's only Professor of Pharmacognosy. PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Speaking at the Southern Africa Network for Biosciences, (SANBio) workshop last week, the country’s only Professor of Pharmacognosy, Daniel Motlhanka whose area of expertise is in natural products for phytotherapy, urged budding entrepreneurs to take advantage of natural resources.
“Natural resources have potential of creating medicines for emerging non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, stroke, persistent chronic fatigue, gout, erectile dysfunction, hormonal imbalances which leads to infertility and aging,” he said.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...