SA Aids 'cure' fails test
2005-05-11 15:23
Special Report
The South African government has announced a joint venture to reduce the cost of anti-retroviral drugs with a Swiss company.
Johannesburg - A locally produced herbal mixture thought to be a cure for HIV/Aids has failed scientific testing by the Medical University of South Africa, SABC radio news reported on Wednesday.
The announcement comes after Medunsa completed its tests on the mixture, known as Ubejane, produced by a KwaZulu-Natal traditional healer.
Although the mixture was not toxic and had no side-effects, it failed to cure HIV/Aids, SABC quoted Medunsa chief researcher at the department of family medicine, Patrick Maduna, as saying.
It did, however, help improve patients' appetites and their physical well-being.
Twenty-four patients were treated with the mixture over four months.
- SAPA