Gambia != South Africa

[spankthecrumpet]

I'm surprised no one has brought this up, but the current SWIFT headline does not describe the story at all - the medical nonsense is coming from Gambia, not South Africa. A South African doctor has been on the correct side, in fact!

And Gambia is not in southern Africa either, so there isn't that justification either.

[YouBelieveWHAT?]

True - The Gambia is on the Western Bulge of Africa.

[Beady]

You just earned the right to jump up and down on Randi via email.

[YouBelieveWHAT?]

Well it's not going to be me.

I'm sure he's been led astray by his advisors, clearly! :)

It's all Lisa's fault!

:)

YBW

[endothermal]

nah, it's just a google maps/earth conspiracy ;)

[teecee]

And staying slightly topical (well geographically speaking), that farce of health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who reckons garlic and beetroot can cure aids has opted for a liver transplant to cure her hepatitis. So it's Ok to advocate herbal remedies for others with a life threatening illness but as soon as she gets ill she opts for tried and tested medical solutions.

[JoeTheJuggler]

I think the confusion (Gambia and South Africa) is because President Mbeki of South Africa famously questioned that HIV causes AIDS. He apparently has renounced the worst of his woo beliefs.

His pronouncements triggered this response:

http://www.aidstruth.org/letter-to-mbeki.php

[Oualawouzou]

MORE MEDICAL NONSENSE FROM AFRICA

The incredible retreat-from-reality in Africa continues. From reader Leonardo Mesquita, a BBC report:

A claim by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh that he can cure AIDS in three days, has been lambasted by a leading South African HIV/AIDS specialist. "I'm astonished. The danger of a president standing up [to say this] is shocking," Jerry Coovadia told the BBC.
Mr. Jammeh said last month he had begun treating 10 patients on Thursdays with secret medicinal herb ingredients. His health minister backs his claims, saying in trials so far, patients had gained weight and physically improved. "A response within three to 10 days and a three-day course is almost inconceivable for a disease like HIV/AIDS," said Prof. Coovadia, who heads the HIV research team at the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a member of South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign. He said that science was many years away from finding a cure "so the fact that someone announces a cure like this is exceedingly difficult to accept."
President Jammeh, who says he can also cure asthma, made his announcement to a gathering of foreign diplomats last month. Within three days the person should be tested again and I can tell you that he/she will be negative," he said in a statement.
Gambian Health Minister Tamsir Mbow says the herbal medicines are taken orally and applied to the body. "We cannot actually tell you the type of herbs we are using presently, it will be known to the whole world later on," Dr. Mbow told the BBC.
One of the patients currently undergoing the treatment is Gambian university lecturer Ousman Sowe. "I've noticed I've increased weight substantially over the last 10 days. I am no longer suffering from constipation, but we have yet to receive result of the tests," he told the BBC. "I have 100% confidence in the president and I'm taking the medication with all confidence."
But Mr. Coovadia said it was tragic that Gambia had a "political environment that allows a minister of health and a president to violate every foundation of science and public health." "The entire exercise is circumscribed by secrecy – that's not how science works… It would be impossible to measure the negative impact of Mr. Jammeh's claims, but it could lead to risky sexual behavior, instead of following preventative advice.”
The World Health Organization told the BBC it did not wish to comment on the issue at this stage. Last year South Africa's health minister came in for severe criticism for promoting a diet of garlic and beetroot to those with HIV, while not rolling out the anti-retroviral drugs which are the only recognized treatment.


We’re told that South Africa has now reversed its controversial advice. But why was such a juvenile statement made, in the first place? Are African countries determined to stay back in the Dark Ages, rather than moving into the twenty-first century along with the rest of the world? My brief visit there brought me hope that not only were they leaving behind the disgrace of apartheid, but also the supernatural mythology that it appears they still insist on embracing. It’s time to sweep out that trash along with the medieval notions of racial superiority and discredited ideas of magical influences. Yes, it takes some courage to do so, but if the leaders don’t accept reality rather than trying to keep their people in an atmosphere of ignorance and superstition, these countires will remain on a road to nowhere. And its citizens will continue to die from their leaders’ lack of rationality…



Call me stupid, but.... where is Gambia mistaken for South Africa, or the other way around?

[Jeff Wagg]

It was actually a typo..

There were two stories like this.. one from South Africa and one from Gambia. During the production of the page, it got confused.

So you're right, we screwed up and we fixed it. :)

[rjh01]

It was actually a typo..

There were two stories like this.. one from South Africa and one from Gambia. During the production of the page, it got confused.

So you're right, we screwed up and we fixed it. :)
You did not fix it ALL. See this link. Still mentions South Africa.

http://www.randi.org/jr/archive.html

At least Randi is innocent.

Darat
My date of birth is wrong. I was born on 16/3/2007.:D

[Darth Rotor]

I'm surprised no one has brought this up, but the current SWIFT headline does not describe the story at all - the medical nonsense is coming from Gambia, not South Africa. A South African doctor has been on the correct side, in fact!

And Gambia is not in southern Africa either, so there isn't that justification either.
I don't care if he's as crazy as a loon, I love the caped outfit he's wearing. Wish I had one for weekends. The cloth looks finely made, and rather expensive.
http://www.randi.org/images/commentary/200703/16yah.jpg
Looks classy and comfortable. Not big on the hat, though.

DR

[Slimething]

I don't care if he's as crazy as a loon, I love the caped outfit he's wearing.

That is so completely against what Betty (http://www.bettybowers.com/)preaches. This is the first time I've seen "Hate the sinner; love their clothes"! :biggrin:

[BillyJoe]

I see the confusion has been cleared up - well, you won't need me then!