China, Zimbabwe plan joint lab for traditional medicine

China and Zimbabwe plan to establish a joint research center to better study, conserve and develop traditional medicine resources in the southern African country, expanding bilateral health cooperation into scientific research and product development.

The Shennong China-Zimbabwe Joint Laboratory for Traditional Medicine is being developed with Zimbabwe's National Institute of Health Research, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, and the Traditional Medicine Unit under Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, said Ma Zheng, head of the 23rd Chinese medical team to Zimbabwe from Hunan province.

Named after Shennong, a legendary figure regarded as one of the founders of traditional Chinese medicine, the laboratory aims to combine Chinese expertise with Zimbabwe's traditional medicine resources to advance research into indigenous medicinal plants and develop locally adapted health products.

Construction is scheduled to be completed before the end of next year, said Peng Jie, a doctor on the Chinese medical team.

After installing equipment, completing site renovations and appointing local research personnel, the laboratory will begin trial operations before moving to full operations, Peng said.

The laboratory builds on the Zimbabwe-China Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center, which the Chinese medical team has been running since 2020. It averages over 10,000 patient visits a year.

"Traditional medicine cooperation should not be limited to clinical services and the introduction of Chinese medicine," Peng said. "It should also promote mutual learning between the two countries' traditional medicine systems."

Zimbabwe has abundant indigenous medicinal plants and local communities widely use traditional remedies, Peng said. However, research is hindered by limited documentation of medicinal plants, insufficient scientific evaluation of traditional remedies, inadequate facilities and a lack of unified standards for medicinal materials.

"The challenges facing Zimbabwe are similar to those that traditional Chinese medicine has faced in its own development," Peng said.

Under the partnership, China will provide research equipment and technical expertise, with Chinese experts offering on-site guidance in Zimbabwe and training for local researchers in China.

Zimbabwe will contribute knowledge of indigenous medicinal plants and traditional remedies, provide clinical facilities and help coordinate with relevant government agencies.

The two sides are finalizing a list of medicinal plants supplied by Zimbabwe's health ministry for initial research. They aim to develop locally adapted traditional medicine products for common diseases, translate findings into clinical applications and reduce healthcare costs.

The project plans to train at least 10 local laboratory technicians and researchers in phases. Trainees will take part in plant sample collection, laboratory testing, research experiments and data analysis.

The training aims to build a local workforce capable of sustaining research and create a pathway from laboratory studies to local production, commercialization and market promotion.

"We hope to make the joint laboratory a regional hub for traditional medicine cooperation in southern Africa," Ma said.