...as the headline reads on the front page of the East African newspaper...
Tanzanians have been flocking in droves to the village of Samunge near Loliondo, Arusha. Locals, foreigners, politiicians, rich and poor are making their way by car, bus, helicopter and foot in hopes of a “miracle cure” from the 76 year old Reverend Ambililkile Mwaisapile. The Reverend claims that last August he began having vivid dreams with instruction from God to deliver a specific herbal remedy to help alleviate suffering from many diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, and a host of other chronic conditions.
Reverend Mwaisapile charges 500 TSH per cup, equivalent to 33 cents US. The earnings pay for expenses to cover the cost of production with the rest going to the church. According to the Reverend, a prayer must be delivered with the cup to be effective and each person is limited to one treatment. There are many “healers” that are emerging with the same treatment as the Reverend throughout Tanzania and are charging a myriad of rates for the same remedy.
The decoction is made from the roots of the Mugariga tree and has recently been proven to be safe for human consumption. It is taken as a warm drink after one hour of boiling. This tree is understood throughout Africa and by many researchers to have medicinal value and is currently being researched in terms of efficacy. The root is credited to have anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic, and anti-helminthic properties.
Many people have abandoned their HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral drugs (ARV’s) in search of the “Loliondo cup.” Thousands claim to have been cured and some have died as a result of going off their recommended medication. Nonetheless, people from far and wide have come for a cure or prevention. The road leading toward Loliondo has been crowded for months and Mwaisapile is seeing an estimate of 2000 people per day. As Tanzanian health and government authorities are struggling with what to do about the situation, many now recognize the importance of traditional herbal medicine in Tanzania.
The case of Loliondo is a testimony to the lack of adequate healthcare in Tanzania. Tanzania ranks as the 12th most impoverished country in the world and is among the lowest doctor per person ratio in Africa with estimates between as little as 1 doctor for every 20,000 to 50,000 people. The global average is about 1 per 1000 people. In addition, there are very few specialist doctors in Tanzania and most hospitals and clinics are poorly equipped to handle the patient load. With many foreign doctors coming to Tanzania and many Tanzanian doctors leaving, the situation does not lend to sustainable healthcare.
