allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Can This Man Cure Aids? (Page 1 of 1)

Paul Ojeih, a natural medicine practitioner, is no stranger to controversy. Nick Uweru examines why he raises so much hoopla in the medical circle.

For every ten people that put implicit trust in modern conventional medicine, maybe an infinitesimal fraction might turn out to be a buff for the alternative kind. It is not just about medicine of the native kind. But get to speak to Paul Olisa Ojeih, a professor, chances are that you might just join the little fraction. For the last 30 years that he has been practising alternative medicine, Ojeih has been waging a lone battle over what he terms, "ignorance of the every day medical doctor in the hospitals." He is a teacher and speaker, a good one at that. He is also brilliant. He runs Iris Medical Foundation, a registered group with a hospital, pharmaceutical company, up to date medical laboratory and a natural medicine university. Aside his patients, getting an audience in his office might prove every bit as herculean as getting to see the president in Aso Rock.

But when LEADERSHIP WEEKEND got to speak to him recently, Ojeih was very much agitated. "We have achieved something in our fight, we now have a body, all thanks should go to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua," he said, reclining on his swivel chair, behind a huge mahogany desk. His office says all there is to know about him. A huge shelf packed full with medical books and journals took one side of the office. His tables are also cluttered with books, newspapers and magazines. There is also a stethoscope folded neatly before him. A table top computer perched on a corner of the table as well. On the other side of the wall are an examining table and a reflexology diagram neatly placed in a corner. "Yes, I have seen that look on a number of occasions," he said, referring to the detailed look from the LEADERSHIP WEEKEND crew that met him. We hadn't expected this much of modern office.

Ojeih is happy with the president because of the recent creation of Complementary Alternative Medicine Council (CAMC). Conventional medicine practitioners have been in rivalry with practitioners like Ojeih. But like most colossus who battle against known convention, Ojeih has attracted no less controversy. Not only is he branded a heretic, most medical practitioners readily take potshots at his works in natural medicine. Perhaps for good reason, conventional medicine authorities have reasons to be apprehensive of Ojeih. For a start, Ojeih teaches that there is no virus called the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). But you can come down with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Ojeih says. This has been his claim since 1986. Even more controversial, he claims to have a medical regimen that cures AIDS! Now this is what most medical authorities, both national and international do not want to hear.

AIDS is said to be the terminal state of people who are infected with HIV. Health authorities, both in the country and elsewhere fear that it has no known cure, except by the use of anti-retrovirals which helps people living with HIV manage their condition. But Ojeih scoffs at this. "HIV is a western policy, aimed at thinning out Africa," he says.

"Ask Robert Gallow, the man who they said discovered HIV virus if he has ever seen the virus with his own eyes. The truth is that nobody has ever seen it. In the last 10 years I have put a N10 million reward for anybody who can show and prove to me what HIV looks like, but nobody has come forward to claim it. The money is still there for anybody who wants to claim it. All you need to do is isolate and show me the virus," adds Ojeih.

He lives in a world of his own. But those who need him seek him out, and believe it or not, they come in droves.

His clinic, Iris Medical Foundation, is located on Ijaiye Road, Ogba Ikeja. To a first timer, the place might strike him as a fortress of some kind. Of course, its huge white gate is opened to patients 24/7. But the retinue of police, well armed, and private guards patrol the parameters none stop. But they neither harass nor intimidate patients or customers. Oftentimes, the security men help weak patients into the hospital. Ojeih is hyper-security conscious. From the reception of the clinic, you can be sure that he has seen you from his Close Circuit Television. "There have been several attempts on my life," he explained. He thinks that HIV/AIDS coalition is behind the attack. According to him, HIV/AIDS campaign was initially aimed at thinning out the gay community. "If you recall, immune deficiency syndrome was said to be endemic, first with gay community. In no time it has now become a problem in Africa. How many gay communities do we have in Nigeria compared to the US." he wondered.

But his view on AIDS and HIV seems a bit too wacky. How can there be a virus called HIV if there can be AIDS? "AIDS is brought about by the weakening of the body defence system. A number of diseases endemic to Africa can bring about such condition. "Malaria can do it, tuberculosis can cause it, herpes too, can bring about AIDS," said Ojeih, still wondering why he is controversial?

Ojeih did not start his controversy in Lagos. As a matter of fact, he began his practice in Kano and the North. That was in the 80s. He claims that he has since been monitoring events in the health sector since then. "I started my campaign on AIDS in 1986, when I travelled to Tanzania. The country's government was under pressure from the US to resist my offer of help on AIDS." For him, the foreign powers have commercial gains from the whole HIV/AIDS campaign. How, LEADERSHIP WEEAKEND asked him. "Do you know how much money is involved in manufacturing anti-retrovirals and shipping it to Africa? What of the equipment used in HIV test? All these involve money, big money," Ojeih said.

Quite some controversial comments.

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