By Brandon Josphat
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
josphatbl@dailynews.co.zw
THE country`s economic development is transformed using local resources, local ideas and innovations, a mantra that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been propounding in each and every speech has been gaining momentum.
Chengetai Dunga (66) a local scientist from Mutare in Manicaland province heeded the call of Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” by inventing medicines to treat the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and advanced technology to reduce excess fluoride in underground water which causes fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a condition that results in white or brown speckles on your teeth. It’s caused by overexposure to fluoride in the early years of life, when your permanent teeth are developing. Fluorosis is a cosmetic concern and isn’t harmful to your health.
The Daily News spoke to Dunga who said innovation has always been in his blood and now has more than 15 years of in the field of clinical dental and research.
“I have a Master’s in Public Health and Oral Epidemiology from the University of Western Cape, South Africa in 2003. Dental therapy from the University of Zimbabwe in 1993 and a diploma in Health Systems Research from the Galilee College, Israel 1997.
“My professional journey started when l was a general practitioner and researcher at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. I have over 15 years experience in clinical dentistry and research. Currently I am a scientist under African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (Aripo),” he said.
Dunga said he invented the Chengie Advanced Defluoridation Technology to remove excess fluoride in underground water which causes yellowish teeth especially to people who are settled in hot tropical regions.
“My first invention was a fluorosis patent at Aripo. Fluorosis is a condition caused by excess of fluoride, particularly in hot tropical regions that is, Sub-Saharan Africa and this is a non-communicable disease. In other words, fluorosis is a pandemic affecting a number of continents in the world, mainly Asia and Africa.
“The visible damage of excess fluoride includes brown grated teeth. The invisible damage of excess fluoride is cancer cells acceleration, kidney damage, impaired vision, and skeletal bone deformity. Fluoride if consumed at three grams and above kills a human being within an hour.
“I invented the technology called the Chengie Advanced De-fluoridation Technology which removes fluoride up to 98 percent and is made up of local materials. This is ideally for domestic use especially for less privileged families,” Dunga said.
The scientist went further and said his invention has attracted international recognition as it was ranked number one in Sadc region and beyond as fluorosis affects more than three million people.
“The technology is convenient for domestic use such as schools, churches and homes because it is affordable. This invention is applicable to both rural and urban settings because ideologically l invented this to cater for families from poor backgrounds,” he said.
“The invention attracted international recognition as it was ranked number one in Sadc countries and ended up in Finland under the Slush business entrepreneurship being sponsored by Nepa Sanbio.
“In Zimbabwe the impact of fluorosis affects around 3 million people in natural high fluoride level areas, such as Gokwe, Binga, Tsholotsho, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Hot springs, Chiyadzwa-Marange region, Mt Darwin, Plumtree and parts of Buhera.
“I am the lead chief Investigator of fluorosis in Zimbabwe since 2014. The project however was disturbed by Covid-19 pandemic. Our main challenge of this vital and very important project is funding and at the moment we are looking for potential sponsors and partners for this noble initiative,” Dunga said.
Using Complementary Alternative Medicines (Cam), Dunga said he managed to develop Cofsol, a vaccination which was used to treat Coronavirus and other mutations infections.
Cam is defined as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.
“I am the founder and lead chief scientist of Cofsol syrup patent. The syrup is made from local herbs under what we call Complementary Alternative Medicines (Cam).
“Cam is common in Asia, Africa, China and even Europe used to treat many health alignments and conditions which modern medicine is having difficulties in treating. Cofsol syrup is effective for all Coronaviruses, infections, and it can eradicate new mutations.
“I developed this during the peak of the Covid-19 and thousands of people, including my family were saved.”
He prided himself saying the syrup managed to save many lives in Zimbabwe and beyond after it was officially launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the peak of Covid-19 in 2021.
“The positive impact of cofsol syrup was saving many Zimbabweans during the Corona era and the international community. This syrup is certified by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) 2021.
“The Cofsol syrup was officially launched by His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare. The invention that l partnered with the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe took 10 months.
“The Cofsol syrup is already on the market under Complementary Alternative Medicines in pharmacies and is being further manufactured by a pharmaceutical company in Harare.” Dunga however stated that due to a number of vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic his vaccination did not hit the market the way he expected.
“The challenge Cofsol faced was that it coincided with the development of vaccinations and its marketing was actually suppressed by international organisations who were marketing their vaccines.
“However, the syrup is still being manufactured by a local pharmaceutical company for current and future use.
“Don’t forget pandemics always reoccur and the date is always known by God himself so we have to be prepared all the time. Africa should always be ready for an infection to emerge.”
The Mutare based scientist said he was currently in the process of developing an ointment for eczema using systematic research of Complementary Alternative Medicine.
Eczema is a skin disease which is common mainly in Europe, Asia, and America and even in Africa, particularly people who are light in complexion.
He added that there was a need for the government to fund scientists and innovators as this would enhance economic development.