Covidex inventor Prof Patrick Ogwang has won a continental award and urged Ugandans to ‘have humanity at heart’ instead of chasing money.
Prof Ogwang, the founder of Jena Herbals Limited, was recognized as the “Most Outstanding in Complimentary Medicine” at the third edition of the Africa Outstanding Professionals Awards held at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on April 23, 2024.
The Africa Outstanding Professionals Award is a Pan-African one, designed to identify and publicly recognize capable and accomplished professionals across the various delineated fields of activity.
The awards scheme is open to indigenous Africans and foreign nationals who are domiciled and professionally active in Africa.
On his return to Uganda, Prof Ogwang was welcomed by members of his family, senior officials from the National Drug Authority, The Uganda Medical Association, selected members of the Business Trendsetters’ forum and Ms. Humanities Africa, a Ugandan- Leah Nabukeera, who was recently crowned in Enugu Nigeria.
“I was called for this award when I was in West Africa. I said I must attend,” said Prof Ogwang during a Stakeholder Engagement organized by Jena Herbals at Hotel Horizon in Entebbe on Friday and attended by Senior Officials from the Ministry of Health, and the Uganda Medical Association, among others.
Prof. Ogwang, who was recognized as one of Africa’s Leading Professionals at the Africa’s Leading Professionals Awards, said the award is an indication that Jena Herbals is doing well in the area of herbal medicine.
“Why are we able to do it? Because we are not gambling. We have a smart team at Jena Herbals. Most of these people have master’s degrees. So we are doing things right.”
He emphasized the role of education in his medical journey saying it is very important.
“I would not have been able to achieve all this without education. If you have a chance to study, please utilize it. That’s why I urge you to educate your children. If you don’t have children, educate your brother’s child or your neighbour’s child. I wouldn’t be here if my uncle had not educated me.”
He also urged Ugandans to put humanity first instead of putting profit ahead of human life.
“Have humanity at heart. When Covid-19 came, I did not think of making money but serving the people. That is why we sold Covidex at Shs5000 only. We put service before money.”
He thanked President Museveni for investing in sciences and scientists, saying the money that the government allocates to sciences and scientists helped him achieve a lot.
“I was able to do my work because of the money that has always been given to scientists even before meeting the president. I was already benefiting from the funds allocated to sciences.”
His wife, Dr Lillian Ogwang, thanked friends and family for welcoming her husband back with love and respect.
“As a director of Jena, I’m so happy for this award. We probably did not know how this award came about but we believe in Prof Ogwang,” she noted.
His brother Engeu John Bosco said herbal medicine has been part of the family.
“We are known in Teso history for doing herbal medicine. My grandmother would give us herbs whenever we were sick and we would get healed. She knew herbs that would cure headaches, red eyes and even malaria etc. I’m glad that my brother was able to apply that knowledge in healing people,” noted John Bosco.
His uncle Eramu Pascal said Prof Ogwang has always been an academic giant.
“After passing PLE in a rural school, he boarded a bus to Kampala to meet his uncles for the first time so he could get school fees for further studies. We as your family are proud of you.”
Joel Mirembe, the Secretary General of the Uganda Medical Association, said Africa has the resources but Africans are not utilising those resources for the right cause.
“We are just looking at them and stepping on them. That is how someone came here and said they discovered the source of the Nile. Do you mean that people who lived along the Nile did not know it? So, we are the people with the raw materials. So we need to make sure that we use them so that those people come here and buy our drugs and take them to their countries,” he said.
He said herbal medicines are not just supplements or additions.
“I am a medical doctor and I treat patients. If herbal medicine is used correctly, it can cure diseases. I’m glad that Prof Ogwang is leading us in the right direction,” he added.
Prof. Patrick Ogwang is received by his family, and Miss Leah Nabukeera, the 2024 crown holder of Miss Humanities Africa at Horizon Hotel Entebbe
Marvin Turinawe, a Regulatory Officer at Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) asserted NDA’s unconditional support to Jena herbals.
“We have come a long way together. So for us, we believe that what you are doing is great for the country and great for everyone.”
He went on: “When you go to China and other countries, there is a whole system protecting the herbal medicine. The government empowers and regulates herbal clinics to serve people with traditional medicine. In Uganda, as NDA, that is our strategic direction. We believe with people like Prof Ogwang, we are going to get there.”
Prof Ogwang’s groundbreaking research focuses on developing medicines from medicinal plants, resulting in successful remedies like Artemune for malaria prevention and Jenacof for cough and flu.