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| President's 'HIV cure' condemned | President's 'HIV cure' condemned |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A claim by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh that he can cure Aids in three days has been lambasted by a leading South African HIV/Aids specialist. | A claim by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh that he can cure Aids in three days has been lambasted by a leading South African HIV/Aids specialist. |
| "I'm astonished. The danger of a president standing up [to say this] is shocking," Jerry Coovadia told the BBC. | "I'm astonished. The danger of a president standing up [to say this] is shocking," Jerry Coovadia told the BBC. |
| Mr Jammeh said last month he had begun treating 10 patients on Thursdays with secret medicinal herb ingredients. | Mr Jammeh said last month he had begun treating 10 patients on Thursdays with secret medicinal herb ingredients. |
| His health minister backs his claims, saying in trials so far patients had gained weight and physically improved. | His health minister backs his claims, saying in trials so far patients had gained weight and physically improved. |
| "A response within three to 10 days and a three-day course is almost inconceivable for a disease like HIV/Aids," said Prof Coovadia, who heads the HIV research team at the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a member of South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign. | "A response within three to 10 days and a three-day course is almost inconceivable for a disease like HIV/Aids," said Prof Coovadia, who heads the HIV research team at the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a member of South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign. |
| He said that science was many years away from finding a cure "so the fact that someone announces a cure like this is exceedingly difficult to accept". | He said that science was many years away from finding a cure "so the fact that someone announces a cure like this is exceedingly difficult to accept". |
| 'Confidence' | 'Confidence' |
| President Jammeh, who says he can also cure asthma, made his announcement to a gathering of foreign diplomats last month. | |
| I've noticed I've increased weight substantially over the last 10 days Patient Ousman Sowe | I've noticed I've increased weight substantially over the last 10 days Patient Ousman Sowe |
| "I can treat asthma and HIV/Aids... Within three days the person should be tested again and I can tell you that he/she will be negative," he said in a statement. | "I can treat asthma and HIV/Aids... Within three days the person should be tested again and I can tell you that he/she will be negative," he said in a statement. |
| "I am not a witch doctor and in fact you cannot have a witch doctor. You are either a witch or a doctor." | "I am not a witch doctor and in fact you cannot have a witch doctor. You are either a witch or a doctor." |
| Gambian Health Minister Tamsir Mbow says the herbal medicines are taken orally and applied to the body. | Gambian Health Minister Tamsir Mbow says the herbal medicines are taken orally and applied to the body. |
| "We cannot actually tell you the type of herbs we are using presently, it will be known to the whole world later on," Dr Mbow told the BBC. | "We cannot actually tell you the type of herbs we are using presently, it will be known to the whole world later on," Dr Mbow told the BBC. |
| One of the patients currently undergoing the treatment is Gambian university lecturer Ousman Sowe. | One of the patients currently undergoing the treatment is Gambian university lecturer Ousman Sowe. |
| "I've noticed I've increased weight substantially over the last 10 days. I am no longer suffering from constipation, but we have yet to receive result of the tests," he told the BBC. | "I've noticed I've increased weight substantially over the last 10 days. I am no longer suffering from constipation, but we have yet to receive result of the tests," he told the BBC. |
| "I have 100% confidence in the president and I'm taking the medication with all confidence. | "I have 100% confidence in the president and I'm taking the medication with all confidence. |
| Risky behaviour | Risky behaviour |
| But Mr Coovadia said it was tragic that The Gambia had a "political environment that allows a minister of health and a president to violate every foundation of science and public health." | But Mr Coovadia said it was tragic that The Gambia had a "political environment that allows a minister of health and a president to violate every foundation of science and public health." |
| "The entire exercise is circumscribed by secrecy - that's not how science works," he said. | "The entire exercise is circumscribed by secrecy - that's not how science works," he said. |
| It would be impossible to measure the negative impact of Mr Jammeh's claims, but it could lead to risky sexual behaviour, instead of following preventative advice, he said. | It would be impossible to measure the negative impact of Mr Jammeh's claims, but it could lead to risky sexual behaviour, instead of following preventative advice, he said. |
| The World Health Organisation told the BBC it did not wish to comment on the issue at this stage. | The World Health Organisation told the BBC it did not wish to comment on the issue at this stage. |
| Last year, South Africa's health minister came in for severe criticism for promoting a diet of garlic and beetroot to those with HIV, while not rolling out the anti-retroviral drugs which are the only recognised treatment. | Last year, South Africa's health minister came in for severe criticism for promoting a diet of garlic and beetroot to those with HIV, while not rolling out the anti-retroviral drugs which are the only recognised treatment. |
| South Africa has now reversed its controversial advice. | South Africa has now reversed its controversial advice. |
| To hear the full interview with Jerry Coovadia and more on Mr Jammeh's alleged healing powers tune in to the BBC World Service's Weekend Network Africa on Saturday 3 February 2007. | To hear the full interview with Jerry Coovadia and more on Mr Jammeh's alleged healing powers tune in to the BBC World Service's Weekend Network Africa on Saturday 3 February 2007. |