There is every reason for the world to rejoice as medical researchers in Tanzania report that the possible cure for the dreadful AIDS disease was now in sight, the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ can reveal.
The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Principal Researcher, Dr Hamisi Malebo said in Dar es Salaam this week that research on the cure in question was promising and may be completed by 2015. He added that preliminary tests of the medicine which started in 2004 shows positive results.
“Early experiments have shown that the medicine supports human immunity to fight HIV that destroys white blood cells,” he said. He said researchers have discovered a local herb dubbed -TASHACK with high capacity of reducing viral load to human body, bringing hope of better days to HIV/ AIDs patients within three years.
Dr Malebo who is also Head of Department of Research Development said “for now 90 HIV/AIDS patients are in observation to prove capability and safety of the medicine.” Dr Malebo added that the medicine has been in use in Tanga Region since 1990 to date under Tanga AIDS Working Group (TAWG.)
Earlier, while addressing journalists, the NIMR Director of Research Coordination and Promotion, Dr Julius Massaga said the medicine has played a significant role in stabilising conditions of HIV/AIDS patients.
“It reduces Viral Load, reduce opportunistic diseases, increase body immunity and it improves health to people affected with HIV,” he said. He added that the medicine came from one of the herbalists who went to NIMR to test the quality and capacity of their medicines.
By MARGARETH ITALA, Tanzania Daily News