Kinshasa, November 11th, 2025 (CPA).–A medicine for ‘aphthous stomatitis’ was presented on Tuesday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by the National Centre for Research in Oral and Dental Sciences (CNR-SBD), on the sidelines of World Science Day for Peace and Development. ‘On the sidelines of World Science Day, celebrated on November 10th, we wanted to present some of the products resulting from our research conducted during 2025, including “Sarfen”, a medicine designed to combat recurrent aphthous stomatitis, a painful dental condition that prevents patients from eating and sleeping,’ said Dr. Ediz Ekofo, assistant on her first term at the CNR-SBD. According to the doctor, this product reduces the pain, inflammation and swelling associated with this condition, thereby improving patients’ quality of life.. Ekofo also presented ‘Bisaf’, a juice made from hibiscus (bissap) and pineapple, used as a preventive measure in patients treated at the hospital attached to the CNR-SBD. ‘This juice contains active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which promote healing and reduce the side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy,’ she explained. She also presented a digital portal recently set up by the centre, allowing dentists to register and share clinical data with a view to strengthening scientific research. ‘This tool aims to establish national statistics on the prevalence and frequency of oral diseases, both in Kinshasa and in the provinces, and even internationally,’ she added. According to her, the CNR-SBD has also developed therapeutic massage products for patients suffering from maxillofacial dysfunctions (temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)), to enable them to regain a better quality of life after treatment. Dr Ekofo also called on the authorities to support research centres specialising in oral diseases, which are often neglected or attributed to mystical causes by the population. ‘We want Congolese dentistry to become a benchmark in Africa, capable of diagnosing and treating oral diseases early, including certain benign and malignant cancers,’ she said. The National Centre for Oral Science Research, she said, is collaborating with the H-Planet Clinical Centre to screen for and treat these diseases.
Initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated annually around the world on November 10th, it is an opportunity to recall UNESCO’s mandate and commitment to science.