BY RICHARD CHIROMBO
Are tragedies like the one involving cyanide-laced Tylenol in the United States of America, which claimed seven lives in 1982 and received front page, top-of-the-news coverage while the issue of HIV and AIDS languished in the agenda-setting media, things of the decades now gone by? Will such experiences as HIV and AIDS news taking four years then, along with 20 000 deaths of citizens who would otherwise have done better with requisite information from journalists, before the media begun to accord coverage to such news merely history in this new era?
The wish is; if only they could be. The reality, however, is different; that is, if you talk about Malawi. While the Southern African country has been hard hit by the HIV and AIDS pandemic, the media has largely played a detached role or, where efforts have been made to highlight the same, the efforts have been but a scratch on the surface. Largely, this has meant covering what other organizations have done in this area, mostly, though, without evidence-based articles as what these organizations say is taken as gospel truth. No verification, whatsoever, whether any organization claiming to have carried out research really did so. What with assertions that some organizations cook research findings!
All the while, over 900,000 people call them innocent citizens, or one-in-seven adults, are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Every six minute, the average time it takes for one to finish an average meal, someone’s sister, brother, mother, father, uncle, aunt, guardian, or step-what, denounce their Malawian citizenship to death. 87,000 deaths occur annually, mostly of productive citizens of the impoverished, sub-Saharan Africa country. And this is according to the National AIDS Commission, a body mandated to coordinate the response- never again say,’ the fight’- to HIV and AIDS in Malawi.
But, just like in the cyanide-laced Tylenol case in the US, the media in Malawi lives in 1982. That might be the reason reporting is still Luke-worm, the response that of migratory birds on recess, and the effects devastating.
No! No! No! No! No! No! No! The mood seemed to say when Malawian journalists, courtesy of Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Service (Safaids), met from July 15-16 at Mount Soche Hotel, Blantyre, to bring an end to this self-detachment and Luke-worm response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic through a new look organization that is the other word for commitment- Association for Journalists against HIV and AIDS (Ajah). Waving a new banner of commitment that promises to bring change to the way information is treated, these journalists agreed to move away from detachment to partners in development; from passive observers to participants- a form of new war, fought by the mighty pen and unquenched passion. The wall is broken, a new banner unfurled, a new dawn born- even though it may be that we are in the midst of a war the Malawi media never really begun over 25 years ago.
It may not have been of their own making, though, as the pandemic, and information about it, was largely suppressed in terms of impact during the early stages of the pandemic when Malawi was ruled by a doctor of repute in the name of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. To say, or write, that there was a pandemic wrecking havoc and threatening to undo social-economic development gains while a doctor sat on the throne would be tantamount to treason, especially in an environment where intellectual discourse was treated as anathema to development and, consequently, muzzled.
But what about 1994, when Malawi ushered in a second Republic and people were free to express themselves. Where had the media been to, drinking free coffee and tea? All these questions might have been answered by the zeal, enthusiasm, commitment, resolve, and passion evident in the faces of the 23 journalists gathered at Mount Soche. No need to live in the past; let’s just draw lessons from it, and start to respond to present health challenges- Tuberculosis, Malaria, Meningitis, pneumonia, high mortality and morbidity rates, among others- including HIV and AIDS, it was unanimously agreed.
The passion that coloured the meeting could not escape the eyes of Tariro Makanga Chikumbirike, Safaids Head of HIV and AIDS Communications and Knowledge Management (Hackm), who applauded Malawian journalists for taking the initiative to, among other things, promote the dissemination of information among fellow practitioners’ promote participation of a wide range of people on issues of HIV and AIDS; and provide the platform for debate as regards the pandemic.
“Journalists cannot be divorced form issues of HIV and AIDS. Additionally, citizens in the sub-Saharan Africa need to know about these issues for them to make informed decisions,” said Chikumbire, her faith so strong in the adage,’ knowledge is power’.
Her main worry was, “We can not reach a comfortable situation if prevalence remains high in our region; if productive citizens continue to die; if the media are mum. All this because HIV and AIDS is not merely a health issue, it is cross-cutting- agriculture, economies, culture, religion, all are affected. Unless we mainstream HIV and AIDS, we will be scratching on infertile ground”, and, then, we shall all be losers.
Losers in the 21st Century? Oh! No! Not with Malawian journalists, anymore. Not with Ajaa! Ask Rex Chikoko, Chairperson for the organization.
“This marks the end of cases, in the past, when media houses presented different facts about the same HIV and AIDS issue; when journalists only interviewed top officials on HIV and AIDS issue; when journalists looking for information had no one-stop-information centre- now we have plans to establish a resource centre where journalists shall get information. This will possibly reduce the visible lack of harmony when it came to HIV and AIDS facts,” said the soft-spoken Chikoko.
He feels that, through this platform, journalists will be able to propagate their agenda-setting role as they reach out to people. The emphasis will be on promoting informed information.
Even Villant Ndasowa, the one who coordinates Safaids programmes in Malawi, feels that a new dawn is here at last; in as far as the media response to the pandemic is concerned in the country of 12 million. Informed journalists are an informed nation, she added.
“Journalists will working together and one of the ways to achieve this will be through publication of a newsletter, which I hope will help a lot in exposing the ills about HIV and AIDS. We also hope that through the committee that has been elected, the media response to the pandemic will be well-coordinated and behavioural-changing,” said Ndasowa.
The committee entrusted with running the affairs of Ajaa is comprised of journalists from both sides of the media divide: print and media. These are: Rex Chikoko, Chairperson; Villant Ndasowa, Vice Chair; Everson Kalinda, Secretary; Richard Chirombo, Treasure; Vuto Zamadunga; Geoffrey Kapusa, member; Dorothy Kachitsa, member; Edith Mkwaila, member; and Henry Haukeya, member.
They come from the following media houses, or organizations: Malawi News; First Wave Media; Ministry of Information; Mawa; Malawi Television; Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, and Joy radio, respectively.
They will be expected to put into gear the two factors that, research in the US has revealed, often put an issue on the national agenda: make sure that HIV and AIDS news appear on the front page, and; that the State President gives a talk about the issue raised during his various national tours of duty. These will put to rest what happened in one of the countries to first register cases of HIV and AIDS: a news article did not appear on the front page of The New York Times until May 25, 1983- two years into the pandemic, 12 months less than The Los Angeles Times, and 10 months later than The Washington Post. Even so, American President Ronald Reagan did not give a speech about AIDS until May 1987, an unbelievable six years into the epidemic, at a time when 35,121 cases had been reported by the Centre for Disease Control.
From this experience, Ajaa really has to work hard to make sure that, in the end, either president Bingu wa Mutharika talks about an issue raised by the organization as, an agenda-setter, or the little HIV virus grows big enough to appear on the big newspaper/magazine/newsletter print. Perhaps loud enough and visible enough to make the mark on the mighty microphone and screen.
Passion. Is the buzz word. And everything becomes possible with Association for Journalists against HIV and AIDS.
A new baby is born. Azimayi kodi mulipo: nthungululu bwaaa!!!
8 comments:
AIDS AND AN EFFECTIVE NATURAL FREE THERAPY
For Africa: BY Andrew K Fletcher
In 1994, I made a very important discovery in circulation, which has shown beyond any shadow of a doubt that the human body requires the correct influence from gravity in order to maintain optimum circulation of bodily fluids! I have been working with people suffering from a whole range of illnesses since 1994. And have observed and documented many incredible recoveries and improvements in conditions ranging from oedema to spinal cord injuries. My work is all freely available on the Internet. Use my name and Gravity as a search term, in a search engine. For Example: Healthy Astronauts develop rapid ageing, muscular and bone degeneration, immune deficiencies, neurological and visual problems when they are in space and begin to recover when they come back to Earth!
During several studies, involving many people, it became apparent that the immune system appears to respond significantly from inclined bed therapy. Many people appear to fight off influenza, while others around them develop the condition. Body temperature is maintained and improved while sleeping on an incline. Respiration, Renal function, heart performance also appear to benefit! I Firmly Believe that no person suffering from an illness should be placed on a flat bed!
It is my intention to bring the benefits of my work and discovery in circulation to the people of Africa. I have tried to reach people who have AIDS and other infectious illnesses on BBC World Service Radio. If You are involved with Health Care and would like to test the effectiveness of this simple intervention. I would very much like to hear from you with regards to setting up a controlled study to determine the effects of this powerful free therapy for people with AIDS and HIV.
Adapt your own bed To sleep as nature intended us to, and as The Ancient Egyptians did! A bed is raised placing the head end on a minimum of two 20cm or 8 inch blocks. Hooking the casters or legs over the blocks helps to stabilise the bed. If your bed is the type that joins in the centre you will need to support the join with two 3inch or 7.5 cm blocks. The casters at the foot end of the bed should be removed to give the correct slope and added stability. Check the height by measuring from the floor to the top of the mattress. If your bed is longer than a standard bed then you must adjust the height of the blocks accordingly.
A wooden wedge placed under the mattress, or even folded blankets will do the job, but be sure to recheck the angle as the blankets often compress and more should be added to make up the difference. Be patient and expect a little discomfort while gravity adjusts your body to the new posture. You may feel some discomfort in the spine and neck, this appears to be a threshold which has to be passed and is probably due to us developing a more upright posture. If you would like to help me in my ongoing research, or would simply like to monitor your own progress, see the (enclosed) diary entry form to record any changes in your health,
20cm (8ins) block-- 10cm (4ins) block----- Castors off bottom
The Importance of Gravity to our Health and Wellbeing, and its Relation to Rest & Sleep.
The most powerful and least understood force known to man is gravity. A force, that cements all planets to an invisible grid. A force which, here on earth, raised mountains, carved out valleys, hurls molten rock into the air and drives the world's weather and ocean currents. In fact, the very force that shapes everything we are or will ever see. From the time we stand up to take our first steps as children, we sense our correct posture and align ourselves for optimum performance. By standing on our own two feet, we are not struggling to overcome gravity as is currently accepted. In fact we stood up as a species in order to harness and bathe in the earth’s gravitational force. Once this simple and hitherto overlooked concept is accepted, it becomes enlightening to understand how we, the most intelligent of all the species here on earth stand warm blooded and vertical, as opposed to cold blooded reptiles which do not! Yet, in our wisdom we have chosen to ignore the very force that powers all our vital functions when we sleep. We have poured countless £ billions into research and yet answers to debilitating medical conditions which cause untold suffering and premature deaths continue to remain life's unsolved mysteries. Children continue to slip quietly away before they have managed to take a single step. The average life expectancy has remained relatively the same: Three score years and ten or seventy years. Why has this figure failed to change significantly along with the advances in science and medicine? What common denominator does each and every one of us share as we sleep safely tucked up in bed?
Ever since the human race began, people have striven to make life more comfortable and nowhere is this more apparent than in the sleeping quarters of people around the world. Yet, in our endeavours for comfort we have never questioned the angle at which we lay down to sleep? Until now! The rhythms of nature, like the ocean tides, are irrefutably linked to the influences of the Sun, Moon and Earth’s gravitational force. It is no coincidence that animals and plants' synchronies the birth of their offspring. Yet, each of us chooses to ignore the power of gravity every night as we lay in our flat bed.
Links below are case sensitive:
http://www.the-tree.org.uk/TreeTalk/3Spring2003/Gravity/gravity1.htm (Theory and Intro)
http://groups.iop.org/ME/archive_newsletter2003014.htm (Published in Medical Physics Newsletter)
Please do not hesitate to contact me: Andrew K Fletcher
Andrew K. Fletcher
Paignton, Devon U.K.
+44 1803524117
Inclined Bed Therapy (IBT) Varicose Veins Study.
Inclined To Sleep Inclined Yet?
Dear Reader
We are seeking more people with varicose veins who are willing to put IBT to the test and feel that this is something that your readers and colleagues will definitely find fascinating and some who have varicose veins and oedema and wish to avoid surgery may want to Help in this important trial and join our Free study which has already produced positive results in only 4 weeks as predicted!
News Release:
An Important Scientific Study into the cause of Varicose Veins and Oedema and Inclined Bed Therapy (I.B.T.) is now underway, which makes use of the way the body uses gravity to move solutes through the vessels to improve circulation and alter the pressure inside the veins to significantly reduce swelling and oedema. Our study is free for anyone to participate in. There are no products to be sold or marketed.
What is Inclined Bed Therapy?
Gravity was identified as the driving force behind circulation in trees in 1994 and was applied immediately to how circulation in the body benefits from the same interaction with salts and sugars in the circulation. A video showing the use of IBT with spinal cord injury can be viewed here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3D7tBQfCxQ
IBT is simply tilting the bed so that the head end is 15 cm’s or 6 inches higher than the foot end providing a level but tilted bed, hence the name Inclined Bed Therapy.0 People with varicose veins, oedema (fluid retention) are needed to participate in an online Diary Study, in order to prove that simply altering our sleeping position can have a positive affect on these problems.
If you or someone you know has Varicose Veins, the standard advise is to raise your legs and tilt your bed the other way to IBT, Or to undergo risky and expensive surgery that is prone to fail because it does not address why the pressure inside the vein causes it to bulge.
Which according to current physiology books makes sense. But what if that logic is incorrect? All the evidence from our study is showing that gravity is not a force we are struggling to overcome but a force that drives the fluids within the body.
Are you prepared to take the 4 week challenge and provide us with your observations? Or do you know someone who has varicose veins and would like to watch them slowly but surely shrink and improve every night they go to bed instead of becoming more unsightly and uncomfortable?
Our study is located on the Naked Scientists forum, who have a regular slot on BBC Radio. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.msg121037#msg121037
My wife’s calf showing clearly her varicose vein shadow, which went flat after 4 weeks of Inclined Bed Therapy back in 1994 and has not returned to its former state since. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.msg121037#msg121037
Alun has already confirmed my statement on the study thread that Varicose veins will shrink after 4 weeks of IBT and has supplied us with photographic before and after 4 weeks of IBT along with a diary account of his observations. And he is not alone. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.75
We are hoping to find at least 50 more pioneering volunteers who wish to avoid surgery and it’s inherent risks and failures, who are willing to provide us with photographic and a written account of their own experiences sleeping inclined.
So far our study is running towards a predicted outcome that flies in the face of current physiology literature.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely Andrew K Fletcher
I am indeed very happy for my life; I never thought that I will live on earth before the year runs out. I have been suffering from a deadly disease (HIV) for the past 2 years now; I had spent a lot of money going from one places to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby but until this faithful day, I was searching through the internet, I saw a testimony on how a spell caster helped someone in curing his HIV disease, quickly I copied his email which is DR.OKORUNDO@HOTMAIL.COM I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to cast the spell which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after 45 minutes of casting the spell, I was free from the deadly disease, he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now, please brothers and sisters, he is great, I owe him my life, if you are having a similar problem just email him on DR.OKORUNDO@HOTMAIL.COM +2348056918545I am indeed very happy for my life; I never thought that I will live on earth before the year runs out. I have been suffering from a deadly disease (HIV) for the past 2 years now; I had spent a lot of money going from one places to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby but until this faithful day, I was searching through the internet, I saw a testimony on how a spell caster helped someone in curing his HIV disease, quickly I copied his email which is DR.OKORUNDO@HOTMAIL.COM I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to cast the spell which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after 45 minutes of casting the spell, I was free from the deadly disease, he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now, please brothers and sisters, he is great, I owe him my life, if you are having a similar problem just email him on DR.OKORUNDO@HOTMAIL.COM +2348056918545
here my secound topixs of testifying DR AKHIGBE,my name remain LAURIE HUGHES . I will never stop testifying DR AKHIGBE , Happiness is all i see now I never thought that I will be cured from HIV virus again. DR AKHIGBE did it for me I have been suffering from a deadly disease (HIV) for the past 2 years now, I had spent a lot of money going from one place to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my home every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby not until this faithful day, I saw a testimony on how DR AKHIGBE helped someone in curing his HIV disease in internet quickly I copied his email which is drrealakhigbe@gmail.com just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after some days, after using the herbal cure and i did, behold I was free from the deadly disease,till now no HIVin me again he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now,all the testimony of DR AKHIGBE is true please BROTHER and SISTER, MOTHER and FATHER he is great, I owe him in return. if you are having a similar problem just email him on drrealakhigbe@gmail.com or you can whatsApp his mobile number on +2348142454860 He can also cure this diseases like HIVand AIDS,DIABETICES,HEPATITIS B ABC,FLU,CANCER,GONORRHEA,LASSA FEVER,GONORRHEA,MENOPAUSE DISEASE, DISEASE SKIN , LOW COUNT SPERM .ETC .piease email drrealakhigbe@gmail.com...or whatAPPhim ..+2348142454860 he is a real good and honest man.
My name is donald boykins , am here to appreciate Dr Akhigbe for using his herbal medicine to cure my Herpes virus. Is about 3 years and 6 months now I have been living with this virus and it has been a serious problem to me, I was so confused cause i have been taking several drugs to be cured but all of my effort was in vain,one morning i was browsing through the internet then i saw several testimonies about Dr. Akhigbe curing people from Herpes virus and immediately i contacted Dr. Akhigbe on his email: dr.realakhigbe@gmail.com, i told him about my troubles and he told me that i must be cured, he gave me some instructions and which i rightly followed. so he prepared a herbal medicine and sent it to me which i used for 2 weeks and i was cured everything was like a dream to me and my Herpes virus was totally gone, dr .Akhigbe, God bless you and give you more power and ability for more cures.i dont know if there is any one out there suffering for herpes virus or any of these diseases..DIABETIES, CANCER,GENITAL AND SIMPLEX HERPES,LOW SPERMS COUNT,SYPHILIS,HIV/AIDS,FIBRIOD,COPD,MENINGITIES,HEPATITIES B [HBV] DISEASES .etc why don't you contact dr.Akhigbe today and be free from your diseases because he is very good and honest Doctor. contact him via email; dr.realakhigbe@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2348142454860
LEONA KNIGHT
Am leona knight
Thanks to God and also to dr akhigbe , the great herbal man that cured me of HERPES. I contacted the virus from my partner 4 year ago, i almost spent all i had because i was restless , until i saw peoples testimony about Dr akhigbe recommendation online for how he has being curing HERPES with his herbs herbal medicine , and i emailed him and tell him my problem and he prepare my cure and send it to me through UPS and gave me instructions on how to use the herbs herbal medicine, i followed as i was instructed for 2weeks and behold after i finish drinking it i notice something in me, i went to the hospital for checkup and the result was negative and the virus was completely gone from my body. You can contact Dr akhigbe to get your herbs too and cure yourself from these virus. You can email him on drrealakhigbe@gmail.com or you call him and whatsapp him on +2348142454860. . Dr akhibge cure so many different type of diseases with his herbal herbs such as HERPES, HIV/AIDS. CANCER of all kind, DIABETES and so many more. I want to thank God for using Dr akhibge to cure me. He is real.
My life is beautiful thanks to you, Mein Helfer. Lord Jesus in my life as a candle light in the darkness. You showed me the meaning of faith with your words. I know that even when I cried all day thinking about how to recover, you were not sleeping, you were dear to me. I contacted the herbal center Dr Itua, who lived in West Africa. A friend of mine here in Hamburg is also from Africa. She told me about African herbs but I was nervous. I am very afraid when it comes to Africa because I heard many terrible things about them because of my Christianity. god for direction, take a bold step and get in touch with him in the email and then move to WhatsApp, he asked me if I can come for treatment or I want a delivery, I told him I wanted to know him I buy ticket in 2 ways to Africa To meet Dr. Itua, I went there and I was speechless from the people I saw there. Patent, sick people. Itua is a god sent to the world, I told my pastor about what I am doing, Pastor Bill Scheer. We have a real battle beautifully with Spirit and Flesh. Adoration that same night. He prayed for me and asked me to lead. I spent 2 weeks and 2 days in Africa at Dr Itua Herbal Home. After the treatment, he asked me to meet his nurse for the HIV test when I did it. It was negative, I asked my friend to take me to another nearby hospital when I arrived, it was negative. I was overwhite with the result, but happy inside of me. We went with Dr. Itua, I thank him but I explain that I do not have enough to show him my appreciation, that he understands my situation, but I promise that he will testify about his good work. Thank God for my dear friend, Emma, I know I could be reading this now, I want to thank you. And many thanks to Dr. Itua Herbal Center. He gave me his calendar that I put on my wall in my house. Dr. Itua can also cure the following diseases ... Cancer, HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Inflammatory Liver, Diabetis, Bladder Cancer,Colorectal Cancer,Breast Cancer,Kidney Cancer,Leukemia,Lun,Fribroid,Infertility,Parkinson's disease,Inflammatory bowel disease ,Fibromyalgia, recover your ex. You can contact him by email or whatsapp, @ .. drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com, phone number .. + 2348149277967 .. He is a good doctor, talk to him kindly. I'm sure he will also listen to you.
Here is my testimony on how I was cured of HIV by Dr Akhigbe,with his natural herbal medicine. on a regular basis in efforts to help others when I could. As you may know, each donation is tested. Well, on July 6th I had a meeting with a Red Cross representative and was told that I had HIV. “What went through your mind when you heard that "Rose" Good question reader! To be honest, I thought my life was over, that I would ever find love, get married, have children or anything normal. Lucky for me I have an amazing support system. My family supported me then I never thought that I was invincible to STD s or pregnancy or anything else parents warn their kids about. I just didn’t think about it. I was in a monogamous relationship and thought that I asked the right questions. We even talked about marriage Scary. During that time I was in college and donated blood on a re as well. who helped me in search of cure through the media.there we saw a good testimony of sister 'Kate' about the good work of Dr Akhigbe natural herbal medicine cure.then I copied his email address and contacted him. A good herbalist doctor with a good heart, he is kind, loving and caring. He replied back to my message and told me what to do. After a week the doctor sent me my herbal medicine and instructed me how to take it.Yes it worked very well, after drinking it I went to the hospital for another test and everything turned negative. What a wonderful testimony I can never forget in my life. Dr Akhigbe is a man who gave me a life to live happily forever so all I want you all to believe and know that cure of HIV is real and herbs is a powerful medicine and it works and heals. Dr Akhigbe also used his herbal medicine to cure diseases like: HERPES, DIABETES, SCABIES, HEPATITIS A/B, STROKE, CANCER, ALS, TUBERCULOSIS, ASTHMA, PENIS ENLARGEMENT, MALARIA, LUPUS, LIVER CIRRHOSIS, DEPRESSION, HIV/AIDS, EPILEPSY, BACTERIAL, DIARRHEA, HEART DISEASES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, PARKINSON'S, ALZHEIMER, COLD URTICARIA, HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS,INSOMNIA, BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS, SCHIZOPHRENIA, JOINT PAIN, STOMACH PAIN, CHROME DISEASES, CHLAMYDIA, INSOMNIA HEARTBURN, , THYROID, MAR BURG DISEASES, MENINGITIS, ARTHRITIS, BODY WEAK, ANTI VIRUS, SMALLPOX, DENGUE, FEVER, CURBS, CHANCRE, AND OTHERS VARIOUS DISEASES/ VIRUS. You are there and you find yourself in any of these situations, kindly contact Dr Akhigbe now to help you get rid of it. Here is his email address:
drrealakhigbe@gmail.com or you can write to him on whats app with his phone number: +234 901 075 4824.
My appreciation is to share his testimony for the world to know the good work Dr Akhigbe has done for me and he will do the same for you.
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