Maseru, Lesotho.
At the edge of the Lesotho’s capital, 34-year-old Leuketsgen is sitting under a tin wall under a black cloth and emblazoned with a lion’s head.
His left, wooden table is weighed by root containers, dust and dried herbs, now offers HIV patients who have been reduced from vital medicines in February.
“I am a traditional doctor or a magical doctor,” said Tuatji, his voice is stable. “I have helped people. They come more and more. “
They are the desperation of the nation of poverty and catch one of the highest HIV in the world, about four adults who live by the virus according to government data.
Tjatji is also a positive HIV. Registered traditional healing and fashion designer, he is inferior to doctors question the effectiveness of the treatment, while urging antivirus (ARVS) to fulfill their medicines.
But with the ARVs provided by the government, he has been diligently taken since 2003, now it is limited to three-month charging due to Trump’s reduction, and moreover, there is no more options.
“I don’t want to die. I’m so young and I don’t want to die, “he said to AFP.
“HOLENY HEALTH”
Traditional healers, known as Sangoma, respect for many Africa, their healing skills and their spiritual guidance.
Many Sangomas once watched HIV as a curse from the spiritual world, the believers were puzzled. Some even claimed to treat AIDS.
The new practitioners, like Tjatji, are undergoing a long initiative and training before they are allowed to be transferred through generations.
According to USAID, it is only natural that people apply to the traditional system of the South African National African Association of African African Medical Association.
“The traditional drug plays a vital role in full health and communities’ welfare,” Madondond, as well as traditional healers, told AFP.
At the same time, he said that antiviral therapy “remains the most effective way to pressure HIV.”
Disabling gains
Since 2016, Lesotho-South Africa has received more than $ 850 million in HIV funding from Washington.
The US government’s primary program to fight HIV is supported by AIDS Assistance (PEPFAR).
Only 28% of peppers’ support in February were resumed in Lesotho until mid-March, according to the United Nations AIDS agency.
Almost half of the funded programs have been suspended, including pre-medication (preliminary influence) or male circumcision.
The Ministry of Health Cash is poorly equipped to fill the gap.
Health Minister Selib Mokhoboroan said in March that the budget of 2.4 billion Maloti ($ 127 million) of 2025-26 fiscal year ($ 127 million) did not take into account US foreign assistance.
“Ineffective treatment”
Experts are concerned that the application for alternative means can be canceled in the fight against HIV in Lesotho, which reached the United Nations’ 90-90-90 “goal, and 90-90-90-90-90”.
“I am quite worried,” said Jessica Justman’s Senior Technical Director Jessica Jessman, New York University of Columbia.
“Using inefficient treatment is equivalent to not providing any treatment at all,” he said. He says that people living with HIV open, like TB, meningitis and pneumonia, and opportunistic infections.
Still Masondo claims that traditional methods can offer help.
“Traditional recovery is not only about herbs. It is a comprehensive, comprehensive approach that strengthens the body, the mind, and the spirit, “he said.
“The final or real danger itself is not traditional recovery, it is misinformation,” he said.
The Shack, which serves as his advisory room, said Tugi said that alternative drugs could not help him, as his system can be used to regular antivirus treatment.
His main concern is that HIV will open him in the new tuberculosis fight, he said.
“Maybe Lesoto will change and produce pills for us.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically created from syndicated feeds).
