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Stanely Mushava Herald Reporter
Local scientists last week re-launched “scientific evenings” after a decade-long absence to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and keeping abreast with new scientific development trends. A local pharmaceutical company, Pointecare Diagnostics, hosted the first science seminar series in partnership with a South Korean company Seragem Medisys to promote discourse on latest developments and new products in medical laboratory science.

“Years ago, when we were still young scientists, we used to have these refresher seminars to share new developments in the arena,” Pointecare Diagnostics general manager Luxury Shoniwa said.

“Over the past 10 years, we have faltered below the mark since the discontinuation of the scientific evenings. Hence we have acknowledged as a company that it is our social responsibility to revive these seminars in the interest on the public.”

Scores of scientists converged at a local hotel for the dialogue which discussed several issues including the need to increase accessibility of self-testing devices for anaemia in pregnant women and diabetes.

The two companies also showcased two new machines for self-testing.
Director of Laboratory Services in the Health and Child Care ministry Dr Douglas Mangwanya urged medical practitioners to attend the gatherings to help enhance the sharing of knowledge and experiences.

“It is mandatory for medical practitioners to renew their practicing certificates on an annual basis. One of the qualifications for renewal is demonstration of personal development points, that is, new ideas gleaned from such gatherings and in the actual field,” he said.
“The importance of the scientific evenings, therefore, cannot be over-emphasised particularly looking at the talking points of today’s seminar.”

Self-testing devices, he said, were key in combating non-communicable diseases such as diabetes .
“We recommend Government support to make them more affordable and widely accessible in line with 2011 World Health Organisation recommendations,” Mr Mangwanya said.

Keynote presenter Ms Vimbai Mupudzi, who is an Australia-based diabetes nurse educator, said: “The proliferation of self-testing mechanisms is long overdue. I read a lot about people dying from diabetes-related complications which could have been otherwise forestalled given earlier diagnosis and necessary prescription.

“Diabetic people need regular testing just like HIV patients must have a CD4 count monthly. With such strides as today’s unveiling of the HBA1C and HB meters, we expect deaths that can be prevented to be effectively combated,” she said.

Ms Sophia Kim of Seragem Medisys said it was critical to strike a balance between quality and price since the ultimate end of technology was enhancing the welfare of mankind.

Participants were enthusiastic about the re-launch of the science series as a positive step that would help sharpen their minds.