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Momodou
Denmark
11840 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Mar 2007 : 23:43:49
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Foroyaa Editorial
THE HIV/AIDS ISSUE AGAIN
Our Recommendation
Health has its preventive, curative and rehabilitative components. Medical Science teaches that the healthy human body is capable of self rejuvenation. In short, the body has its own protective parts which fight parasites and save the human being from many illnesses. This means that even though the human body may be exposed to many harmful parasites, the capacity of the body’s defence system to fight them can make the person to maintain good health. The immune system of the human being is the final line of defence to prevent illness. In addition to the immune system, knowledge of the mode of transmission of illnesses can assist human beings to prevent it. This can come by either cleaning the environment so that the parasites would be destroyed or by developing habits or protective gears that prevent contact with the parasites. The primary phase of ensuring good health is therefore the preventive phase.
Suffice it to say, once the preventive line of defence fails and the human organs and tissues are involved, one must find the medicine to destroy the parasite or flush it out of the body. This is the curative phase which is the secondary phase of maintaining a healthy body.
Thirdly, once cure is effected, tissues and organs may have to be restored to normalcy. This is the third phase of maintaining good health which is the rehabilitative phase.
The study of HIV/AIDS had revealed that the parasite destroys the immune system and leaves the body defenceless against other parasites. This means that the person can experience all types of illnesses aside from the HIV/AIDS infections.
These are called the opportunistic infections.
The general approach to HIV/AIDS had been the preventive one since no cure is yet to have universal recognition.
On the other hand, attempts have been made to counsel those that have been infected to have good nutrition and avoid discrimination and loss of self esteem and the use of anti retroviral drugs to prevent opportunistic infections.
Experiments are going on in many parts of the world to find a cure. Since there are patients now going through treatment under president Jammeh, Dr Mbowe and his team should stop the polemics against critics.
Since different results are being given for different patients, what the scientific method demands is standardization in identification of patients, treatment and periodic testing. If Dr. Mbowe wishes to take the heat off his chest, what he should do is to involve the MRC in identifying the HIV/AIDS patients. Those who volunteer to go through the treatment could be divided into two groups, that is, those who would continue to receive anti retroviral drugs and nutrients purporting to be the medicine given by the President. The other group will go through the treatment. MRC could then do the periodic tests following the periodic phases of treatment. This will enable the MRC to validate any claims of cure. Even if a cure is not validated, the actual experimentation will reveal how good nutrition and accommodation may prolong the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS.
Teaming up with an Independent Research Institution, so that they do the tests to identify the patients and then follow up with tests after treatment to verify effectiveness, is the credible way forward.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 33/2007, 21 – 22 March 2007
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