A Free State pathologist is lobbying the government accept an Aids immune booster that is said to alleviate the plight of people living with HIV/Aids.
It is believed that Dr Chris Barnard, a pathologist at the University of the Free State, made presentations to close circle senior government officials this week.
The product is called ”African Solutions”, an all-in-one tonic that includes rooperol, an extract of the African potato, anti-oxidants like anthocyanidin, oleuropein and Grape Fruit seed extract and a number of vitamins said to boost CD4 counts for people with HIV/Aids.
”Clinical trials have indicated that rooperol has anti-cancer, anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory properties. At present, biochemical studies are needed to describe the mechanism, which explain these promising clinical results,” says the pamphlet.
Barnard has researched and developed the product for more than 25 years. It is marketed as extremely effective in bringing about a feeling of well-being and slowing down the progression of the disease in the HIV-positive person.
Barnard’s philosophy is that the biochemistry of the body must be sustained at an optimal functional level so that the body can cure itself.
The Mail&Guardian understands that an urgent meeting was called by Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, who invited a select group to listen to the presentation on Thursday morning.
But Louis du Plooy, Pahad’s representative, could not confirm whether the presentation had taken place.
”Minister Pahad was in a caucus meeting and I have no knowledge of a presentation,” he says. But Chris Viljoen, a sales representative for African Solutions in KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed that Barnard had gone to Cape Town to meet various ministers.
Viljoen said that African Solutions had been presented to Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and the health department.
He said it had been a resounding success and the department seemed keen on the product. He could not say whether the government intends to supply the public health sector with the product.
Sibani Mngadi, representative for the health minister, said he had no knowledge of Barnard or any presentation that took place this week.
Barnard’s office confirmed that he was in Cape Town. He was not available for comment.
The appeal for the government is that the product is cost effective. A bottle costs about R25 and lasts a month.
Viljoen said compliance is the biggest challenge. He said African Solutions has a high compliance rate because it is cheap and works immediately. In August 2002 it was sent to the Medical Research Council but currently is sold as a food and nutrition supplement.
Viljoen said that the product is not a cure for Aids and also does not aim to replace anti-retroviral drugs.
”There are many Mickey Mouse products out there, but this product has shown results within days and not after months like others,” said Viljoen.
He added that there are practically no side effects, but the most common is a headache as a result of the detoxification of the body.
The product can be found in most pharmacies around the country or from wholesalers.
Viljoen has approached traditional healers to market the product in rural areas where poverty-stricken communities cannot afford treatment.
The product ties in with President Thabo Mbeki’s statements for an ”African renaissance” and finding an African solution for African problems.