The results of the 37 samples of the patients undergoing the President’s HIV/AIDs treatment programme (3rd and 4th batches) were on Saturday night announced, with yet another major breakthrough with four patients patients whose viruses are undetected to be release today, Monday 30th March 2008.

It could be recalled that 37 samples where send abroad for testing and 5 were control samples with no HIV/AIDs virus with 5 control samples. Out of 31 samples, 11 were undetected and out of the 11 undetected, 4 have only HIV 1. The remaining 7 have HIV 1/HIV2 but the HIV 2(s) have all been cleared. The rest have significant reduction in their viral loads but 5 others have an increase in their loads as well.

Speaking at the ceremony at the State House grounds in Banjul, President Jammeh thanked Allah for the outcome and congratulated the patients for completing the treatment by becoming undetectable. He noted that for those who are now undetectable, his objective has been achieved, which was to get rid of the virus out of their bodies, meaning that they are free to go home.

The Gambian leader added that since the start of his treatment programme, these results are the most dramatic and interesting results. “The reason is that, this is the first time we have people’s viral loads increasing instead of decreasing.

Only five people’s viral are concerned and one had a complication of Tuberculosis while undergoing the treatment at the hospital, and did not receive the HIV treatment as well. Additionally, another dramatic issue is that those with the combination of HIV1 and HIV2, we do clear both but this time, only HIV 2 is cleared and HIV1 still remains but has dropped drastically. For those who are still detectable, when the next samples are send for testing, you will also go home” he said.

According to President Jammeh, these results are very important for the fact that no one can fully understand HIV/AIDs virus. He noted that five people’s viral loads went up which indicates that unless we discharge you, if anyone discharge him or herself, the person is at risk. “Having a low viral load and not feeling any pains does not mean that you are treated; only when you are undetectable” he said.

He added that those who have one part undetectable will remain until they have been discharge, noting that as a matter of principle they will only discharge a patient when he or she is undetectable. “You can also discharge yourself, we cannot prevent you but note that if you are reinfected, never come back here”.

Foreigners

To the foreigners, President Jammeh advised them that if they go home and get back the virus, let them not come back to The Gambia assuring that for those who are undetectable, they will not develop AIDs again but quickly noted that there is no guarantee against reinfection. “So you know you can be reinfected, prevent yourselves and avoid being reinfected” he advised.

President Jammeh then announced that as from now, apart from the 5th group, there will be no treatment for foreigners free of charge noting that the highest rate of self discharge is from the foreigners and unless they are officially discharged, if anyone left and became reinfected, they will blame his treatment.

“But if you pay, it is up to you to go or pay and stay. If you think that you are fit and go home without been discharge, it is your business. Even The Gambians, if you discharge yourself and get reinfected, even if you have one million dollars, I will not treat you. Gambians also have the habit of deciding when to come for treatment; now if you are away for three treatments, never come back” he warned.

President Jammeh then expressed hope that the 5th batch will not stay longer and assured those whose viral loads have increased, not to be discourage as it will cleared. He further expressed hope that the reason of this is the lack of respect for the treatment rules like having sexual intercourse and taking western medicine which does not conform with the rules.

President Jammeh then announced the discoveries for the medicine for Tuberculosis in which the maximum treatment for any one is for three months. “I have also found the cure for tooth ache in which if you take the medicine, you will never in life have tooth ache. I have also found the cure for anthrities and stroke.

Two more that are fully tested and proven are skin cancer and impotence which I will also start to cure” he concluded.

For his part, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the director general of the President’s treatment programme and director of medical and health services, described the event as another breakthrough. According to him, the AIDs virus which belongs to a group of viruses called retroviruses is a brilliant breed with which modern scientific community has limited exposure. The world’s most elevated minds in the field of medicine, genetics, pathology and are still daunted by the morphology and pathogenesis of the virus noting that these results speaks for themselves.

Dr Mbowe saluted President Jammeh for joining the fight against AIDs not to create a name for himself or amass wealth at the detriment of the poor, but rather to serve humanity, regardless of origin or denomination. He then observed that through this stage of despondence that the courageous  Gambian leader, talented, gifted, determined and able leader confronted the pandemic head-on in a manner that bewildered the whole world.

“Your Excellency’s confidence in your mission, your absolute trust in God, your boldness in defying the furies of critics, your modesty in victory, all these and others attest not to an harmless search for clues, but to a firm conviction that you have the power to achieve great results in the treatment of HIV/AIDs and other disease.

This achievements has proven that mentally, indigenous intellect is not inferior to foreign intellect. It has also proven that for every problem, there is always a way out” he stated.

Dr Mbowe then observed that the results have once again vindicated President Jammeh and proven that his medical herbs have the potency to treat viruses from the human system. He on behalf of the entire Presidential medical team and patients congratulated President Jammeh for the success.

Ansumana Sanneh and Lenson Issile, a Malawian, all thanked President Jammeh for the wonderful achievements while Dr Mariatou Jallow, Chief Medical Director of the RVTH chaired the ceremony.

Present where Vice President Dr Aja Isatou Njie Saidy and all secretaries of state.