TRADITIONAL MEDICINE; ITS ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

Garden Of Eden Institute Of Natural Medicine(GAENAMED-CAM) Buea- Cameroon

The decision to observe an African Traditional Medicine Day follows an adoption in 2000 of a resolution on promoting the role of traditional medicine in health systems, a strategy for the African regions Health Ministers requesting the institution of a day in the WHO calendar for observance by member states.
Hence, ‘Traditional Medicine; Its Role In The Fight Against HIV/AIDS’ was the theme of the 3rd edition of African Traditional Medicine Day commemorated August 31st 2005 as declared by WHO.

The impact of HIV/AIDS has provoked those in the medical field to seek possible solutions to combat the disease. While Researchers, Orthodox Medical Practitioners have been doing their part and till date they still profess they have gotten no head way with regards to the cure, African Traditional Medical Practitioners have also been concern.

One of such Tradi- Medical Practitioner who has carried out extensive research with regards to the cure of HIV/AIDS is Dr Fru Richard, an Advocate of African Traditional Medicine in Cameroon practicing for over twelve years. He has attended AIDS conferences in Cameroon and abroad, won three awards and participated in media health programs. According to his view on HIV/AIDS, he affirms that HIV/AIDS has been a major cause for concern in the world today and its tentacles have caused a lot of havoc.

Traditional medicine over the years has proven ideal in treating viral infections such as small pox, chicken pox, measles, herpes etc, and today WHY NOT HIV? We all know that the best fight for viral infections in the body is the immune system thus, only medications that can detoxify the system, repair damaged cells and tissues and boost the body immunity both naturally and supernaturally are best for tackling HIV/AIDS. The credit goes to traditional medicine, which has all the above mentioned qualities; therefore any drug that would hunt the virus directly would hardly succeed.

He further stated that, we should be aware that, viruses usually invade the system once the immune system is compromised through a number of factors such as; legal or illegal drug intake, excess alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, constant sleep deprivation, pollution, radiation, negative emotional states, low spiritual profile and many other personal health care products.

The most appropriate cure for HIV/AIDS require a reversal of all the health conditions that might have lead to the vulnerability of the individual to the virus, and also respecting all laws of nature by consuming only organic products while avoiding anything acidic.

He then pointed out that, despite the effectiveness of some herbal remedies in the fight against HIV/AIDS many especially the authorities in place still find it difficult to belief in the outcome of our research. I therefore seize this opportunity to solicit for collaboration with Health Organizations and Conventional Medical Practitioners to seek the reality of what we propagate, rather than criticizing and condemning our worth. I hold if this issue can be amended, then the fight against the monster HIV/AIDS plaguing our society would be put under control.

OVERALL SITUATION OF CHILDREN’S VULNERABILITY

UNGASS targeted 2005 to implement policies, strategies to strengthen capacities to provide a supportive environment for AIDS orphans and children, ensuring them access to education and health services on equal basis with other children.

The overall situation of children’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is complex and needs to be analysed within specific country and local contexts. Analysis of household surveys in 36 countries found that in many countries children who are orphaned are worse off than other children in relation to certain indicators of child development – nutritional status, school attendance, sex debut – but in other countries they are equally well or better off. Some of this inconsistency can be explained by the situational context. In countries with high levels of overall school attendance nearly the same percentage of both orphans and non- orphans attended school, but in countries with lower levels of school attendance many more countries showed large disparities between orphans and non- orphans.

In 18 countries where household surveys were conducted between 2005 and 2007, the proportion of orphans and vulnerable children whose household received basic external support ranged between 1 percent in Sierra Leone and 41 percent in Swaziland, with a median value of 12 percent. Such support included education assistance, medical care, clothing, financial support and psychosocial services. The goal of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS is to reach 80 percent of children in need with services by 2010.

The shift towards inclusive programming to help all vulnerable children, including those directly affected by AIDS, is having an impact. The growing call for a broader, more inclusive definition of vulnerability is reflected in many countries’ National Plans of Action ( NPAs) in Eastern Africa. In Zimbabwe, a new programme of support to the National Plan of Action for Orphans and other vulnerable children accepts a wide definition of vulnerability beyond orphanhood and due to AIDS.

National – level responses for orphans and their vulnerable children have been increasing since the 1990s, and nearly 50 countries globally are developing some type of AIDS- sensitive response. 32 countries have been estimated to developed or finalized NPAs with benefits for orphans and vulnerable children. Countries of Eastern and Southern Africa have generally made the most progress in developing and implementing national responses, while programming for orphans and vulnerable children is relatively new in West and Central Africa. East Asia and Pacific Regions are in the process of drafting national plans. In South Asia, India was the first country to establish a national response to children affected by HIV/AIDS.

However, the process of developing NPAs has generally been slow, and implementation at scale is lacking. The often limited capacity of governments and implementing partners and lengthy periods for plan development- three to seven years or more – are major challenges. Insufficient resources for implementing NPAs are reflected in levels of social assistance provided to vulnerable households. Efforts and investments should be directed towards increasing access to basic services, ensuring appropriate alternative care, and providing social support and protection from abuse and neglect.

STIGMATISATION, GENDER EQUALITY AND HIV/AIDS

In spite of different modes to contract HIV, like for instance through blood transfusion, many still relate the disease only to someone’s sexual life as such hold a negative view against victims of the disease.

Despites high awareness levels, HIV/AIDS remain highly stigmatized in Zimbabwe. Victims of HIV are often perceived as having done something wrong, and discrimination is frequently directed at both them and their relatives. Many are scared to carryout HIV test for fear of being socially disoriented, losing their partners or jobs. Those who have not checked their statues do not profess it publicly, since it would seem they do not have access to sufficient care and support.

There is an inclination that the stigma surrounding HIV is gradually diminishing in Zimbabwe, although it remains a significant problem. Various attempts have been made to improve the situation hence the 2005 “Don’t Be Negative about Being Positive’ campaign. Organised by PSI-Zimbabwe, this campaign encourages people to reveal their HIV- positive status and to share their stories.

In Zimbabwe, there are large social and economic gaps between women and men, and this inequality have played a central role in the spread of HIV. Constructive attitudes towards female sexuality contrast with tolerant ones towards the sexual activity of men. As a result, men often have multiple partners while the women have little or no say to instigate the use of condom and sexual abuse, rape and coerced sex are all prevalent

Campaigns on preventive measure that accentuate safe sex by the use of condoms, fidelity for couples and abstinence before marriage; often fail because people do not take into account such realities thus ignore them. This tendency is more applicable to the lives of men folks than those of women. There is also a likelihood of women to be poorer and less educated then their male counterpart, making them susceptible to HIV infection and equally defers their chances to access treatment, care and information.

A report on ‘Women and HIV in Zimbabwe’ by Bassett MT and Mhloyi M from the Department of Community Medicine, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe, stated that, ‘the intersection of traditional culture with the colonial legacy and present-day political economy has influenced family structure and sexual relation, and particularly the social position of women…

From Zimbabwe’s historical experience land expropriation, rural impoverishment, and the forcible introduction of male migrant labour fostered new sexual relations pattern, characterized by multiple partners. Traditional patriarchal values reinterpreted in European law resulted in further female subjugation of women with even their limited rights to ownership withdrawn. For many women, sexual relations with men, either within marriage – for the majority or outside, becomes inextricably linked to economic and social survival…

In Zinbabwe, patriarchy and colonialism appear to be the most significant social legacies responsible for the family structure and sexual behaviour associated with HIV infection. The social context of AIDS in Zimbabwe features a migrant labour system, rapid urbanization, constant war with high level of military mobilization, landlessness, poverty, and the subordination of women...’