In a continent reeling under the ever increasing
burden Of AIDS, there is an
expanding tribe of quacks
and healers offering magic
potions and easy cure for the
disease. Thousands Of AIDS
patients in Malawi have been
thronging to one such healer
who offers his cure - a rust-
coloured liquid - free of
charge. The 79 year-old
Chisupe's work demonstrates how a quack cure
Results in a medical disaster
when people abandon their
faith in scientific medical
advice. According to health
officials, years of efforts educating Malawians about AIDS
have been undone. People
who take the potion not only
believe that it is a cure, but
also a -vaccine against AIDS.
They have consequently
stopped taking preventive
action against the disease.
Officials are worried that
this episode could lead to a
record number Of AIDS cases
five years from now. The so-called cure had generated
such a frenzy that the
government and the Red
Cross had to provide tents,
fresh water and sanitation
facilities for those camping
in Chisupe's compound in
Liwonde. Those who take the
potion realise their mistake
when it is too late. Malawi
has one of Africa's highest
rates Of AIDS and it is the rich
and the educated who have
the highest incidence of the
disease. Some of the businesses are losing 10 to 20 per
cent of their work force
each year.
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