23 April 2011

Scientists predict the so-called miracle HIV cure will have long term consequences

Some health experts have expressed concern about the Tanzanian government's silence on the "miracle" herbal concoction being administered by retired pastor Ambilikile Mwaisapile. He claims that the herbs can cure ailments like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. The herbal "cure" attracts thousands of people each day to the pastor's home in the remote Samunge Village. Administratively, the village is in Digo-Digo Ward, Loliondo Division, Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region. The village is located west of Lake Natron near the Tanzania-Kenya border.

Dr. Benet Fimbo, a consultant with the Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and a former head of Information and Communication at the National AIDS Control Programme, told a meeting in Dar es Salaam on April 20, 2011, that the government's silence was a time bomb which will heavily impact ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. Dr. Fimbo said some People Living with AIDS (PLWA) have abandoned their antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). "The issue is not about the toxicity of the herb used by Rev. Mwaisapile, but the scientific proof that it cures the disease." He said that scientists will be blamed for failing to raise the alarm on the need for scientific proof. He said those who have stopped taking ARVs and decide to resume when things go wrong might develop viral resistance and die.

He was supported by an anonymous participant who works at a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre in Dar es Salaam. He told the meeting that the centres were being flooded by people seeking to be tested for the virus. "Previously PLWAs were coming to check for their CD4 counts but a good number are now seeking HIV status service." Instead of checking their blood counts to see if their ARVs are still effective, PLWAs are wanting to be tested to see if they have been cured by the herbal concoction, i.e., gone from HIV positive to HIV negative.

Dr. Hadji Mponda, the Minister for Health and Social welfare, has repeatedly stated that the government has not said the herbs were capable of curing HIV, diabetes, or any other disease. On April 6, Dr. Mponda insisted that the herbal concoction has yet to be endorsed, contrary to some media reports. "All we said is that initial tests have proved that the herbal drink issued by Pastor Mwaisapile was not toxic and thus fit for human consumption." He said that the tests conducted by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), the Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority, and the Chief Government Chemist were simply aimed at ensuring the safety of persons consuming the herbs. "This is a very sensitive matter and media should not mislead people. The fact that we said the Loliondo herbal concoction was not toxic should not be taken as if my ministry had admitted that the herbal cocktail was an effective remedy." Dr. Mponda said NIMR and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences were still working on the follow-up tests for the herbal "cure" to determine its potency.

In March 2011, Tanzanian news outlets reported the deaths of more than 50 patients while en route to Loliondo, while queuing to see Mwasapile, or shortly after receiving the "cure." Dr. Fimbo said that no hospitals have confirmed that anyone has become HIV negative after drinking the herbs. In May 2011, The Citizen reported that 5 HIV positive residents of Sunya village in Kiteto District, Manyara Region died after abandoning their ARVs in favor of the herbal concoction.

Samunge Village is littered with empty plastic containers and human waste, as people queuing have no sanitation facilities. Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has promised to supply tents and build a dispensary in the village to treat patients needing medication before or after getting the herbal drink. He further directed local government authorities to be on alert against possible outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Sources: "5 Kiteto Villagers Die of Aids After Abandoning ARVs," The Citizen, 2 May 2011, http://thecitizen.co.tz/news/4-national-news/10549-5-kiteto-villagers-die-of-aids-after-abandoning-arvs.html; "Authorities Urge Caution on Popular 'Cure-All' Herb," PlusNews, 4 April 2011, http://allafrica.com/stories/201104050096.html; "Scientists query 'Babu' cure," The Daily News, 23 April 2011, http://dailynews.co.tz/home/?n=19153&cat=home

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