An impressive number of 352 different patients Thursday started the Presidential Treatment Programme (PTP) of The Gambian leader His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh in Kanilai, in what could be described as the continuation of his crusade to save humanity from the scourge of complicated diseases.

Out of this figure, 48 are the sixth batch of HIV/AIDS patients, 147 are asthmatic patients, while 157 are hypertension patients. The patients included both males and females, young and old.  The duration for the treatment of HIV/AIDS is longer compared to asthma and hypertension, as the latter two treatments take only a day.

Addressing the HIV/AIDS patients late yesterday evening, President Jammeh reminded the patients that they are all in Kanilai to seek for his medication so as to restore their lost health. He told them that though treating HIV/AIDS is not an easy one given the nature of the sickness, however, he is confident of his treatment. He further expressed confidence that 99 percent if not all the patients will have their health restored at the end of the treatment, noting that none of them in this sixth batch are in a critical condition. The Gambian leader recalled that he had treated people who could not walk by the time they joined his treatment, and assured the present batch that they will be cleared of their sickness provided they abide by the rules and regulations governing the treatment.

To this end, he advised them to ensure maximum degree of concentration and seriousness during the course of the treatment, stressing that unseriousness to treatment will not be encouraged. He revealed that the HIV treatment has seven different liquid medications that must be taken by all the patients and on time, stressing that "all of them are important in the treatment to restore your health."

President Jammeh went on to advise the patients to distance themselves from eating and drinking anything that is not accepted during the course of the treatment. He urged them to avoid chewing kola nut, drinking alcohol, green tea (Attaya), coffee, eating pork meat, or smoking cigarette. These, he said, are not in tune with the type of treatment they are undergoing. The Gambian leader also underscored the need for the patients to nurture unity and oneness during the course of the treatment, reiterating that they are in Kanilai purposely for treatment and nothing else. He told them that they are not there to form camps, gossip, make trouble or keep malice, warning that such things  will not be condoned during the course of the treatment. "I will treat all of you without looking into your eyes. My treatment is to remove the virus from your system," the president stated, calling on them to obey the rules of the treatment.

He finally urged them to take their treatment seriously, recalling that there were some instances in the previous treatment when some patients violated the rules of the treatment, thus worsening their conditions. Speaking to reporters during the treatment of asthmatic and hypertension patients, the director general of the PTP, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, disclosed that before the start of any treatment, routine medical investigations are conducted on the patients, explaining that from this stage, they are selected and called for the treatment session.

The PTP director general joined the president in underscoring the significance of the rules of the treatment, noting that they always advise the patients to follow the rules so as to achieve excellent results at the end of the day. Dr Mbowe further disclosed that they have already taken the viral loads and CD4 Counts of the HIV/AIDS patients amongst other investigations. "We have also done their CT scan, their TB tests and all the other tests required before the start of the treatment," he stated, adding that after the treatment of the HIV/AIDS patients, they will take their blood samples and send them to different laboratories for their CD4S and viral loads.

He said the primary aim of the HIV/AIDS treatment is to reduce the viral loads of the patients and raise their CD4s with the hope of getting the excellent results as usual. He finally advised them to exercise patience, pointing out that the treatment is not and easy one.

Patients express gratitude
Scores of different patients who converged in Kanilai for the PTP have expressed their gratitude and appreciation to President Jammeh his commitment and concern towards the restoration of their health.

Kebba Manneh, a hypertension patient, told reporters that they could only return gratitude to President Jammeh for coming to their rescue at the rightful moment. Manneh, an old looking patient who has been sick for three years now prayed for Almighty Allah's continuous guidance and protection for the president. He confessed that before taking the medication, his sickness was disturbing him, but expressed delight that he felt better minutes after taking the president's medical herb.

Modou saidy, the press officer at State House who is also a hypertension patient described the treatment as a rare opportunity for him, noting that he was looking for a day like this. He noted that he has been with his ailment for years now even though it never disturbed him. He expressed hope that he will have his health restored after taking the president's medication. He encouraged other people not to hesitate to try the treatment considering its huge benefit.

John Edwet, an asthmatic patient who was very weak before taking the medication also confessed that he felt relieved after taking the medication. Edwet equally prayed for the president's long life and continuous health. Several other patients expressed similar sentiments. It is hoped that these current batches of patients will also have their health restored and contribute their quota to the development of their various societies.

Background
It could be recalled that the PTP, initiated by President Jammeh as part of his crusade of salvaging humanity from the scourge of complicated diseases started on 17 January, 2007. Since then, thousands of people including Gambians and non-Gambians have benefited from the programme. Majority of them, having been cured of their ailments, went back to their respective societies and are contributing their quota to development.