Reports of the first test result of the nine HIV infected persons being treated by the President Yahya Jammeh have revealed that the CD4 count (special T-lymphocyte) of the patients have gone up “impressively”, signifying a marked improvement on the patients from a laboratory point of view.

According to the revelation, seven out of the nine patients have their CD4 counts ranging from 200 to over 1300 as compared to when they first reported for treatment, barely ten days ago, recording CD4 counts of less than 50.

The HIV/Aids treatment began January 18, 2007, following President Jammeh's disclosure of a “mandate” to cure HIV/Aids and Asthma patients.  The patients were treated on the conditions that they are diagnosed by a medical practitioner and that they are treated publicly.

Speaking to GRTS, after the release of the test result, President Jammeh expressed confidence that any person with HIV/Aids who comes to his clinic will not die”.  President Jammeh asserted that the duration of the treatment ranges from three to ten days and or from twenty to thirty days.

President Jammeh said he was pleased to note that the nine patients who were very low on their CD4 count, have made considerable improvement.  According to President Jammeh, when the patients first arrived at the glass house for treatment, some of them could hardly stand on their feet for 2 minutes.  He noted the remarkable improvement within ten days of treatment of a particular patient who had been infected for 2 years and nine months, with the highest score on CD4 count. “We had a problem with him because we had to force him before he takes the medicine.  Even to apply on his body was a big problem”, President Jammeh  stated.

The Gambian leader further added that he will make sure that all the patients regain their health since most of them had very big problems with their internal organs like the intestines. “The women, in particular, had chronic problems”, he added.  The President then revealed that as of now,  all the patients are cough-free, among other things. “They can even run if I want them to run. So they are very OK now”, he assured.

For his part, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare explained that the results are really very impressive and excellent. He said most of the patients, presently have a CD4 count of between 195 to 1338.

This, according to him, is excellent news and means that the treatment is going very fine and there is marked  improvement in the patients' condition from a laboratory point of view. “In order to be on ARV's, you must have your CD4 count at 200 or below. Now out of the 9 patients President Jammeh is treating, 7 have their CD4 counts above 200, while one has 450, 500, 750, 834 to 1334”, he said.

SoS Mbowe then stated that: “This clearly shows that the treatment is very effective and we are really having gains now, which can be declared to the whole world. Before the treatment, we had patients who had a CD4 count of less than 50 and are now having increment in their CD4 level from about 200 to 1334.
I am very much comfortable and happy with the treatment”, he explained.

The female patients who also spoke to GRTS expressed delight at the results and commended President Jammeh for what they described as a very excellent treatment.“I am very glad about President Jammeh's treatment because of the fact that my CD4 count is very good. I am very happy about the treatment. If today I get the treatment and I get  the results indicating that my CD4 count increased, I will just thank God for that. I will also commend the President  and I  urge all those who are yet to come for the treatment, to come out and take the treatment so that we can jointly fight the pandemic. This is a great move for the socio-economic development of the nation. Let people not be ashamed to come out on the television. This is nothing. To take the treatment is more important. We cannot pay President Jammeh”, she said.

A male patient said, “this is a world record. Lab tests have revealed that our CD4 counts have considerably increased during the time that we have been under the treatment. I am appealing to all Gambians that there is nothing to fear about HIV/Aids but as everybody is at risk. Come out in your numbers to be tested and if you are found positive, don't be afraid. Come out and seek treatment in any way possible”, he advised.