We offer the following short courses;
1. Training for Herbalists in local communities
PHARMBIOTRAC provides regular training for herbalists in local communities, including traditional medicine practitioners. The training offers many unique learning and practice experiences in a wide variety of modules, including classroom and hands-on exercises, thus providing an opportunity for the herbalists to develop self-reliance, autonomy, initiative, flexibility, and safety in their practice. Plants are an important part of healthcare, especially for poor populations.
Traditional herbal medicine and indigenous practices constitute a major component of Uganda’s healthcare system, with ever-increasing attention and interest in their use in recent times. These remedies are widely used to manage various medical conditions, including non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and many other chronic and acute medical conditions among communities, especially in rural settings.
However, despite the therapeutic benefits of herbal medicine in Uganda, little is known about their safety profiles, side effects, toxicities, and efficacy, as very limited data on the specific types of herbs is available. The lack of proper standardization and quality control mechanisms in herbal medicine practice, as well as the erratic nature of the practice, leaves consumers and the population at large at high risk of harm.
The main objective of this training is, therefore, to provide opportunities for herbalists and other traditional medicine practitioners to gain real-time learning exposure and experience. This helps them further develop their skills and abilities alongside other practitioners and professionals, as well as work in a structured environment with help from experts. It also provides an opportunity to exchange ideas while creating a platform for networking. A significant portion of the trainees’ time is spent in practical settings, learning how to integrate practice with knowledge, values, and skills, with a strong focus on practical sessions and other hands-on activities.
2. Certificate of Production and Quality Control of Herbal Medicine
The goal of this four-week Certificate in Production and Quality Assurance of Herbal Medicine program is to build a cadre of experts with experience in Herbal Medicine Production and Quality Assurance. These professionals will utilize cutting-edge research and technology to profitably and sustainably engage in the field of natural medicine. This is expected to support both regional and national economic growth, as well as improve the health of human and animal populations.
The program provides participants with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, ethics, and values outlined above. It also enables them to develop or modify production processes and quality assurance techniques. A focus on entrepreneurial mindset and skills will be integrated throughout the program to encourage graduates to start their own businesses.
The program is based on the philosophy that “nature-derived healthcare products are the future of healthcare worldwide.” This curriculum includes innovations that allow industry professionals, including practitioners of traditional medicine, to teach and mentor trainees alongside university academics, bridging the gap between academia and industry practice. Graduates of the program will find employment in the pharmaceutical, natural products, and cosmetics industries, as well as in herbal pharmacies, or in starting or expanding their own businesses that sell natural products or herbal medicines.