CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Leading South Afrian HIV/AIDS specialist professor Jerry Coovadia has criticized Gambian president Yahya Jammeh's claim that he can cure AIDS in three days, reported the BBC.
Last month, Jammeh said he had begun treating 10 patients with secret medicinal herb ingredients. Gambian health minister Tamsir Mbowe backed his claims.
"I'm astonished. The danger of a president standing up [to say this] is shocking," Coovadia, who heads the HIV research team at the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a member of South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign, told the BBC. "A response within three to 10 days and a three-day course is almost inconceivable for a disease like HIV/AIDS."
Jammeh, who says he can also cure asthma, made his announcement to a gathering of foreign diplomats. "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," Jammeh 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."
Mbowe 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." He said the herbal medicines are taken orally and applied to the body.
Gambian university lecturer Ousman Sowe, who is currently undergoing the treatment, has the utmost confidence in Jammeh: "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.
Coovadia criticized Gambia for 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.
Last year, South Africa's health minister was chastised for promoting a diet of garlic and beet root to those with HIV instead of administering antiretroviral drugs. (The Advocate)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM