Gambian President boasts HIV/AIDS cure

by Amadou Bah, Assistant Producer, Gambia Radio and Television Services, Banjul

The President of the republic of The Gambia, Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, announced his decision to treat Gambians living HIV/AIDS and Asthma sufferers in the country. In his speech, at the state house, President Jammeh disclosed that he now has authorisation to treat HIV/AIDS and Asthma patients.

In fulfillment of his promise, today, President Jammeh administered treatment to the first batch of HIV/AIDS patients at State House. The President was assisted by a team of medical personnel during the morning session.

Defending his new "mandate", Dr. Jammeh pointed out that his patients must first be diagnosed as HIV positive and should then consent to be treated publicly.

He said his treatment would last only for few days, after which, the patient should go back to the hospital for a further test to re-confirm his or her status. The President also said he is mandated to carry out his treatment only on Thursdays and he will limited to ten patients at a time.

Commenting on the treatment of Asthma, President Jammeh said he is "mandated" to treat one hundred patients at a time, under strict conditions.

In her speech, the Vice President Dr. Aja Isatou Njie Saidy applauded President Jammeh for the initiative, describing the intervention as very timely.