Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

[Guest guest]

Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa.

The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the

continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions

won't do much.

For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be

counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.

This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when

it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide

when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns

raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the

solution to the scourge.

The other option is faithfulness.

http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

Ajiambo Sifuna,

Chicago, US

[Guest guest]

Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa.

The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the

continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions

won't do much.

For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be

counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.

This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when

it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide

when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns

raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the

solution to the scourge.

The other option is faithfulness.

http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

Ajiambo Sifuna,

Chicago, US

[Guest guest]

This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms and

western drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to their

death or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus to

others. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that these

elements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a part of the

solution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of proper

nutrition and water and fidelity in relationship?

I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand your

reasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If you

were to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that a

bite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pick

up the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from a

mamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years to

kill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and make

them fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have some

thoughts on this.

>

> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

>

>

> The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa.

> The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the

> continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions

> won't do much.

>

> For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be

> counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.

>

> This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when

> it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide

> when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns

> raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the

> solution to the scourge.

>

> The other option is faithfulness.

>

> http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

> Ajiambo Sifuna,

>

> Chicago, US

>

[Guest guest]

This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms and

western drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to their

death or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus to

others. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that these

elements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a part of the

solution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of proper

nutrition and water and fidelity in relationship?

I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand your

reasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If you

were to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that a

bite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pick

up the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from a

mamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years to

kill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and make

them fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have some

thoughts on this.

>

> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

>

>

> The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa.

> The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the

> continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions

> won't do much.

>

> For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be

> counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.

>

> This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when

> it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide

> when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns

> raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the

> solution to the scourge.

>

> The other option is faithfulness.

>

> http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

> Ajiambo Sifuna,

>

> Chicago, US

>

[Guest guest]

Hi All, The commentator, who apparently lives in the comfort of Chicago, may be entitled to his opinion. But I have serious problems with our media outlets in Africa that provide platforms for highly damaging ideas. What is the obligation of editors of the EA Standard? Does the public good come into play in publishing one-sided opinions like this one? Have they considered a more informed piece to be printed along this opinion? It is one thing to comment on the limitations of condom use or ART; it is another to completely dismiss the value of these approaches to those who are at risk or are already living with the virus and to society at large. Just like Hudson, I believe that reasonable minds would consider ways to improve the usefulness of condoms and to reduce the potential side effects of drugs, while at the same time try to battle gender-based injustices, poverty, poor

infrastructure, and other socio-economic problems facing our people. Best regards, Mesfin Ron Hudson <ron.hudson@...> wrote: This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms andwestern drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to theirdeath or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus toothers. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that theseelements, the condom and western drugs,

are seen a part of thesolution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of propernutrition and water and fidelity in relationship? I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand yourreasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If youwere to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that abite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pickup the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from amamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years tokill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and makethem fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have somethoughts on this.>> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer > > > The strategies the West uses to

combat HIV will not work in Africa. > The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions > won't do much.> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.> > This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide > when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the > solution to the scourge.> > The other option is faithfulness. > > http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659> Ajiambo Sifuna,> > Chicago,

US> __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi All, The commentator, who apparently lives in the comfort of Chicago, may be entitled to his opinion. But I have serious problems with our media outlets in Africa that provide platforms for highly damaging ideas. What is the obligation of editors of the EA Standard? Does the public good come into play in publishing one-sided opinions like this one? Have they considered a more informed piece to be printed along this opinion? It is one thing to comment on the limitations of condom use or ART; it is another to completely dismiss the value of these approaches to those who are at risk or are already living with the virus and to society at large. Just like Hudson, I believe that reasonable minds would consider ways to improve the usefulness of condoms and to reduce the potential side effects of drugs, while at the same time try to battle gender-based injustices, poverty, poor

infrastructure, and other socio-economic problems facing our people. Best regards, Mesfin Ron Hudson <ron.hudson@...> wrote: This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms andwestern drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to theirdeath or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus toothers. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that theseelements, the condom and western drugs,

are seen a part of thesolution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of propernutrition and water and fidelity in relationship? I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand yourreasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If youwere to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that abite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pickup the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from amamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years tokill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and makethem fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have somethoughts on this.>> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer > > > The strategies the West uses to

combat HIV will not work in Africa. > The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions > won't do much.> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.> > This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide > when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the > solution to the scourge.> > The other option is faithfulness. > > http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659> Ajiambo Sifuna,> > Chicago,

US> __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Great comments!!. Anytime I hear the statement 'African solutions to African problems' I equate it to inaction. I think it is grossly irresponsible and unscientific to simply prescribe herbs to HIV/AIDS patients. Which herbs to we prescribe? Do we simply rely on the medicine men? Do we have any evidence of the efficacy of the herbs? If we continue to think this way I am afraid the epidemic will be with us for a very long time.

Mensah

Chicago, USA

Re: Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms andwestern drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to theirdeath or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus toothers. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that theseelements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a part of thesolution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of propernutrition and water and fidelity in relationship? I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand yourreasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If youwere to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that abite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pickup the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from amamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years tokill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and makethem fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have somethoughts on this.>> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer > > > The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa. > The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions > won't do much.> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.> > This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide > when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the > solution to the scourge.> > The other option is faithfulness. > > http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659> Ajiambo Sifuna,> > Chicago, US>

[Guest guest]

Great comments!!. Anytime I hear the statement 'African solutions to African problems' I equate it to inaction. I think it is grossly irresponsible and unscientific to simply prescribe herbs to HIV/AIDS patients. Which herbs to we prescribe? Do we simply rely on the medicine men? Do we have any evidence of the efficacy of the herbs? If we continue to think this way I am afraid the epidemic will be with us for a very long time.

Mensah

Chicago, USA

Re: Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

This is disturbing to me. I have seen people abandon condoms andwestern drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It inevitably leads to theirdeath or worsening of their symptoms and in passing along the virus toothers. How can we shape African thinking in such a way that theseelements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a part of thesolution that also includes empowerment of women, provision of propernutrition and water and fidelity in relationship? I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to understand yourreasoning in saying these tools will never work in Africa. If youwere to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and tell them that abite from it would kill, would anyone of conscience rush out to pickup the snake and play with it? How is it different? A bite from amamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV takes years tokill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate people and makethem fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I am must have somethoughts on this.>> Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer > > > The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will not work in Africa. > The African people have to think of solutions that can work in the > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and medical concoctions > won't do much.> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even be > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in Africa.> > This is largely because most women have little bargaining power when > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases unilaterally decide > when, where and how sex is done totally disregarding any concerns > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and these could be the > solution to the scourge.> > The other option is faithfulness. > > http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659> Ajiambo Sifuna,> > Chicago, US>

[Guest guest]

--- Mensah <dehasnem@...> wrote:

> Great comments!!. Anytime I hear the statement

> 'African solutions to African problems' I equate it

> to inaction. I think it is grossly irresponsible and

> unscientific to simply prescribe herbs to HIV/AIDS

> patients. Which herbs to we prescribe? Do we simply

> rely on the medicine men? Do we have any evidence of

> the efficacy of the herbs? If we continue to think

> this way I am afraid the epidemic will be with us

> for a very long time.

>

> Mensah

> Chicago, USA

>

>

>

> Re: Condoms and Aids drugs

> not the answer

>

>

> This is disturbing to me. I have seen people

> abandon condoms and

> western drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It

> inevitably leads to their

> death or worsening of their symptoms and in

> passing along the virus to

> others. How can we shape African thinking in such

> a way that these

> elements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a

> part of the

> solution that also includes empowerment of women,

> provision of proper

> nutrition and water and fidelity in relationship?

>

> I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to

> understand your

> reasoning in saying these tools will never work in

> Africa. If you

> were to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and

> tell them that a

> bite from it would kill, would anyone of

> conscience rush out to pick

> up the snake and play with it? How is it

> different? A bite from a

> mamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV

> takes years to

> kill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate

> people and make

> them fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I

> am must have some

> thoughts on this.

>

>

> >

> > Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

> >

> >

> > The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will

> not work in Africa.

> > The African people have to think of solutions

> that can work in the

> > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and

> medical concoctions

> > won't do much.

> >

> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even

> be

> > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in

> Africa.

> >

> > This is largely because most women have little

> bargaining power when

> > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases

> unilaterally decide

> > when, where and how sex is done totally

> disregarding any concerns

> > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and

> these could be the

> > solution to the scourge.

> >

> > The other option is faithfulness.

> >

> >

>

http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

> > Ajiambo Sifuna,

> >

> > Chicago, US

> >

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- Mensah <dehasnem@...> wrote:

> Great comments!!. Anytime I hear the statement

> 'African solutions to African problems' I equate it

> to inaction. I think it is grossly irresponsible and

> unscientific to simply prescribe herbs to HIV/AIDS

> patients. Which herbs to we prescribe? Do we simply

> rely on the medicine men? Do we have any evidence of

> the efficacy of the herbs? If we continue to think

> this way I am afraid the epidemic will be with us

> for a very long time.

>

> Mensah

> Chicago, USA

>

>

>

> Re: Condoms and Aids drugs

> not the answer

>

>

> This is disturbing to me. I have seen people

> abandon condoms and

> western drugs for herbs and unsafe sex. It

> inevitably leads to their

> death or worsening of their symptoms and in

> passing along the virus to

> others. How can we shape African thinking in such

> a way that these

> elements, the condom and western drugs, are seen a

> part of the

> solution that also includes empowerment of women,

> provision of proper

> nutrition and water and fidelity in relationship?

>

> I guess I would need to suspend my disbelief to

> understand your

> reasoning in saying these tools will never work in

> Africa. If you

> were to present Africans with a mamba or cobra and

> tell them that a

> bite from it would kill, would anyone of

> conscience rush out to pick

> up the snake and play with it? How is it

> different? A bite from a

> mamba or cobra can kill quickly...the toxin of HIV

> takes years to

> kill, but is inevitably deadly. How do we educate

> people and make

> them fearful but retain hope? People wiser than I

> am must have some

> thoughts on this.

>

>

> >

> > Condoms and Aids drugs not the answer

> >

> >

> > The strategies the West uses to combat HIV will

> not work in Africa.

> > The African people have to think of solutions

> that can work in the

> > continent. Bales of anti-retroviral drugs and

> medical concoctions

> > won't do much.

> >

> > For poor and hungry people, the drugs could even

> be

> > counterproductive. Condoms have failed in

> Africa.

> >

> > This is largely because most women have little

> bargaining power when

> > it comes to protected sex. Men, in most cases

> unilaterally decide

> > when, where and how sex is done totally

> disregarding any concerns

> > raised by women. Africa is rich in herbs and

> these could be the

> > solution to the scourge.

> >

> > The other option is faithfulness.

> >

> >

>

http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news_s.php?articleid=1143962659

> > Ajiambo Sifuna,

> >

> > Chicago, US

> >

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________