Although scientists have been searching for years for a cure to AIDS, the Gambian president Yahya Jammeh claims to have found it. He has begun to treat patients in his country but will not reveal the details of his process only stating that the secret process, which makes the patient HIV negative within 10 days, involves herbal medicine. Along with his magical process to cure AIDS, Jammeh says he can also cure asthma. Despite the absurdity of his claims, Jammeh defends himself by saying, "I am not a witch doctor and in fact you cannot have a witch doctor. You are either a witch or a doctor." One of his current patients is a Gambian university lecturer who says he has "100% confidence in the president." This situation highlights a clear problem in Africa- too much power being given to the ruler. The fact that he can claim to have discovered a cure and despite the secrecy of the process and disregard for the scientific process is not questioned by his people depicts the elevated status he must be at. Furthermore, he is further jeopardizing the health of his people since believing they are cured can lead to risky sexual behavior and only cause the disease to spread at a more rapid rate.
Nonetheless, this article and I take the view that his claims are absurd. But, perhaps we are all too cynical and the Gambian president has really discovered the answer to the HIV/AIDS problem. Especially if the answer is in cheap herbal medicine, who knows what wonders that could do for the continent. Still, no one is going to put all their eggs in his basket and scientists will continue to look for a legitimate cure.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
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2 comments:
If the cure really has been found, it will be easy to prove it. Scientists simply have to test his "herbal methods" on a patient and see if the patient becomes HIV negative. This would be a breakthrough for Africa and the rest of the world.
However, it is hard to believe that simple herbs can solve such a complicated disease as HIV/AIDS. In my opinion, scientists who are given hundreds of millions of dollars to find a cure to this epidemic would have already found the solution if it were that easy.
I also agree with the fact that the leader has way too much power if his people believe him without being shown any credible evidence.
When those televangelist claim to cure aids and other diseases no one screams and says take thes despots of the air. When they go to africa and hold revivals where they claim to cure aids no one screams.Stop ernest angly and benny hinn ,lock them up,then talk to me about a crazy african.When these religious freaks scream you are healed by the holy spirit,send us your money ,there is no outrage. There is no evidence of any healings by televangelist.Lets start with these conmen. Lets start with those ministries.
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