AIDS in Africa a hoax? Are you insane? This is irresponsible reporting and your heading and comment is one of complete ignorance. As for the South African writer Rian Malan, well, he's a fool of note and I wouldn't trust a word he says. I live in KwaZulu-Natal which has the highest rate of HIV infection in the country, and I live in a country with the highest HIV infection rate in the world. In the past two years I have lost three employees to AIDS. My current maid has lost virtually her entire family to AIDS. Several of my friends have lost their 'servants' to AIDS. My sister, who is the Human Resources Director for a very large corporation with thousands of employees tells me they ar...

AIDS in Africa a hoax? Are you insane? This is irresponsible reporting and your heading and comment is one of complete ignorance. As for the South African writer Rian Malan, well, he's a fool of note and I wouldn't trust a word he says. I live in KwaZulu-Natal which has the highest rate of HIV infection in the country, and I live in a country with the highest HIV infection rate in the world. In the past two years I have lost three employees to AIDS. My current maid has lost virtually her entire family to AIDS. Several of my friends have lost their 'servants' to AIDS. My sister, who is the Human Resources Director for a very large corporation with thousands of employees tells me they are losing staff every day to AIDS. I have two friends who run clinics in the rural areas for poor blacks and virtually every mother and child they see are HIV positive. Whole areas have been decimated by AIDS and there are entire valleys where the only people who are still alive are the very young and the very old. (I know because I belong to a feeding scheme that helps feed the elderly and I've seen it with my own eyes). My God, this is utterly irresponsible reporting. In some areas they have refrigeration trucks parked outside the mortuaries because they cannot contain all the dead bodies. I have another friend that runs a home for AIDS infected mothers and their children and they are swamped. Our local clinic treats HIV infected babies and their mothers and the statistics are appalling. There is a hospice for AIDS patients just up the road and they are overwhelmed and inundated with patients. Unofficial grave-sites are springing up in some areas because the local cemeteries are full and it's causing a health hazard because the ground water run-off is affecting our rivers. Oh, please, this is utter tripe. Come to Africa and see for yourself.

Michelle, thank you for saying exactly what is on my mind. i worked with a health sector programme in Kenya focusing mainly on malaria and HIV/AIDS. I, too have seen unimaginable strife and suffering, seeing people through losing loved ones to AIDS. I lost some people close to me as well - and the main killer behind all this is the TABOO that's associated with it in many communities.
Seeing the Western media now claim that AIDS is a 'hoax' makes me so angry - maybe we should channel some of the awareness raising and educational programmes over to people like this, who write these sorts of bogus articles. Denial kills. And unless we accept the reality of the threat - not only to Africa but ...

Michelle, thank you for saying exactly what is on my mind. i worked with a health sector programme in Kenya focusing mainly on malaria and HIV/AIDS. I, too have seen unimaginable strife and suffering, seeing people through losing loved ones to AIDS. I lost some people close to me as well - and the main killer behind all this is the TABOO that's associated with it in many communities.
Seeing the Western media now claim that AIDS is a 'hoax' makes me so angry - maybe we should channel some of the awareness raising and educational programmes over to people like this, who write these sorts of bogus articles. Denial kills. And unless we accept the reality of the threat - not only to Africa but also to large parts of Asia and parts of the rest of the world too - it will continue to silently accumulate an ever-increasing death toll. Time to open our eyes, people!

Please don't think I posted this article to support people that do not have a heart for the people of Africa. Nor would I say there are not many people dying. Yes I have been to Africa multiple time. I spent a lot of time asking, why people don't ask questions about the sick, why are they susperstitious?, how do they get cared for? what tests are they using?, how reliable are the clinics, how experienced are the doctors?

I also know many doctors from Africa in the US and the agree - there is no way to tell most of the time.

In the US, HIV tests are unreliable. You have to be tested multiple times and even then there is no way to really tell. There is still no existing imperical evide...

Please don't think I posted this article to support people that do not have a heart for the people of Africa. Nor would I say there are not many people dying. Yes I have been to Africa multiple time. I spent a lot of time asking, why people don't ask questions about the sick, why are they susperstitious?, how do they get cared for? what tests are they using?, how reliable are the clinics, how experienced are the doctors?

I also know many doctors from Africa in the US and the agree - there is no way to tell most of the time.

In the US, HIV tests are unreliable. You have to be tested multiple times and even then there is no way to really tell. There is still no existing imperical evidence that scientifically links HIV to AIDS. This link between the 2 was 1st established by a newspaper article NOT a scientific publication. NOR does one exist that links the 2. If you know of evidence there are multiple universities and private research organizations that would like to have your information.

I don't know the credentials of the writer... but If you read the article it makes a lot more sense than the statement 30 million people are dying from AIDS. You have to ask yourself. Why would Africans be MORE suceptible to AIDS than America, England, France, China? or anywhere else? Certainly there is no cure - so why is this not as widespread all over the world. There are many 3rd world countries that are in the same living conditions - so why not there? Ask yourself? Why aren't there as much media statistics that show how widespread other diseases are in Africa?


How many morticians are in these places that are counting people dying from AIDS? Since that is the only way to tell how a person died is to do an autopsy?

I knew 3 people that died while I was in Africa, they all died from complications of Malaria. At least that is what their symptoms spelled out. Malaria that went to the brain. What is Malaria? Why aren't other countries running rampant from it as well? SPecial mosquitoes in Africa? There is no Malaria vaccine - so what is Malaria called in other countries? But then again you have to ask - how do people know what killed them? What are the symptoms of AIDS or HIV that are spelled out? Are they similar to multiple diseases? What symptoms are used to diagnose in Africa, since World Health Organization sets the diagnosis, the definition should be easily found on their website - or by asking one o...

I knew 3 people that died while I was in Africa, they all died from complications of Malaria. At least that is what their symptoms spelled out. Malaria that went to the brain. What is Malaria? Why aren't other countries running rampant from it as well? SPecial mosquitoes in Africa? There is no Malaria vaccine - so what is Malaria called in other countries? But then again you have to ask - how do people know what killed them? What are the symptoms of AIDS or HIV that are spelled out? Are they similar to multiple diseases? What symptoms are used to diagnose in Africa, since World Health Organization sets the diagnosis, the definition should be easily found on their website - or by asking one of the state run Medical Schools in Africa - find a Doctor and ask how they diagnose.

I cut through all your obfuscation of questions to find the heart of your stance which is:

"There is still no existing empirical evidence that scientifically links HIV to AIDS".

That's what your issue is, not whether we have the means to test for HIV, nor the quality of the medical care provided, nor the accuracy of the diagnosis, nor the treatment etc. etc.

And it is this precise issue that has caused a massive problem in our country. Our useless ex president also questioned the scientific evidence and he sat back and picked his nose whilst the people died.

Whether HIV is linked to AIDS, I cannot say. But the majority of the world's medical profession agree that it is. I am not in th...

I cut through all your obfuscation of questions to find the heart of your stance which is:

"There is still no existing empirical evidence that scientifically links HIV to AIDS".

That's what your issue is, not whether we have the means to test for HIV, nor the quality of the medical care provided, nor the accuracy of the diagnosis, nor the treatment etc. etc.

And it is this precise issue that has caused a massive problem in our country. Our useless ex president also questioned the scientific evidence and he sat back and picked his nose whilst the people died.

Whether HIV is linked to AIDS, I cannot say. But the majority of the world's medical profession agree that it is. I am not in the medical profession so I cannot attest to the veracity of this.. However, screw the debaters, there is a disease, HIV/AIDS, or call it what you will, that is killing our people. But whilst idiots debate semantics, people are dying like flies.

Why is AIDS so prevalent in Africa? Because the black African men are completely and utterly promiscuous. The average black male, according to a recent survey, has a minimum of three sexual contacts a day. It's just that simple.

HIV/AIDS breaks down the body's immune system and the victim dies of opportunistic illnesses that attack their compromised bodies.

As for Malaria and the myriad of other tropical disease, Wiki will be helpful to you.

joejoepmc said:
I knew 3 people that died while I was in Africa, they all died from complications of Malaria.

yes Joejoe, that is precisely it. as Michelle pointed out:

michellezm said:
HIV/AIDS breaks down the body's immune system and the victim dies of opportunistic illnesses that attack their compromised bodies.

AIDS itself is not the disease that single handedly kills thousands every year. AIDS is the condition that renders the immuune systems of infected people unable to fend off diseases that an intact immune system (coupled with adequate, affordable health care) could realistically overcome. 

michellezm said:
Why is ...

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joejoepmc said:
I knew 3 people that died while I was in Africa, they all died from complications of Malaria.

yes Joejoe, that is precisely it. as Michelle pointed out:

michellezm said:
HIV/AIDS breaks down the body's immune system and the victim dies of opportunistic illnesses that attack their compromised bodies.

AIDS itself is not the disease that single handedly kills thousands every year. AIDS is the condition that renders the immuune systems of infected people unable to fend off diseases that an intact immune system (coupled with adequate, affordable health care) could realistically overcome. 

michellezm said:
Why is AIDS so prevalent in Africa? Because the black African men are completely and utterly promiscuous.

again, i believe that it is down to a combination of this simple fact coupled with completely inadequate supply of antiretroviral drugs to those who most need it. it is unaffordable and hard to come by. these are aspects we in the west too often take for granted. 

To a large extent, in my opinion, AIDS is an economic condition in the sense that (a)socio-economic conditions correlate directly to the likelihood of infection and (b) high prevalence of AIDS has a detrimental effect on the national economy. 

Scientific evidence of a link between HIV and AIDS aside, we can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to reality by conveniently debating such hypotheticals. Empirical evidence speaks louder than any claim of a so-called consipracy/hoax.

Interesting how this is a very emotional subject. I wish there were clear cut black and white answers.

All the questions are important - it shouldn't matter nearly as much if there is evidence - the point is that the organizations LIED about the actual numbers. They estimated them nearly out of thin air and they diagnose it differently in Africa - different from ANYWHERE on EARTH. The point I will state again is... why Africa? What exists in Africa that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world to make so many people have AIDS?

The Africans I know, both from Sub-Saharan Regions ,West Africa as well as East Africa all agree. They see the system as corrupt and it is making a lot of peo...

Interesting how this is a very emotional subject. I wish there were clear cut black and white answers.

All the questions are important - it shouldn't matter nearly as much if there is evidence - the point is that the organizations LIED about the actual numbers. They estimated them nearly out of thin air and they diagnose it differently in Africa - different from ANYWHERE on EARTH. The point I will state again is... why Africa? What exists in Africa that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world to make so many people have AIDS?

The Africans I know, both from Sub-Saharan Regions ,West Africa as well as East Africa all agree. They see the system as corrupt and it is making a lot of people and governments lazy and fat while their family members are dying from purely preventable causes - which they know is not AIDS but for them to be treated they must be diagnosed with AIDS.

Don't let your emotional attachment to a lie cloud reasong and clear thinking. Yes people are sick and dying, but it is from unsanitary conditions, lack of clean water, pollution and toxic agents and not enough quality food.

There is an African saying in many cultures -
"falsehoods travel round the world while the truth is still tying its shoes. The truth is slow, but will be proved. Rumour rushes in front, but the truth walks slowly, but sure footed and these people will take cover when the truth is told.

If the truth comes out - billions of foreign Dollars, Pounds and Euros will be taken out of these countries. These poor countries have no real way to pay for these hospitals and programs that are subsidized by the influx of foreign aid and yes it is sad because it may be doing some good for people - but I believe lying to people just to get money is sad, wrong and ruining the African culture. Africa was fine...

There is an African saying in many cultures -
"falsehoods travel round the world while the truth is still tying its shoes. The truth is slow, but will be proved. Rumour rushes in front, but the truth walks slowly, but sure footed and these people will take cover when the truth is told.

If the truth comes out - billions of foreign Dollars, Pounds and Euros will be taken out of these countries. These poor countries have no real way to pay for these hospitals and programs that are subsidized by the influx of foreign aid and yes it is sad because it may be doing some good for people - but I believe lying to people just to get money is sad, wrong and ruining the African culture. Africa was fine before Vaccines and western culture and the invasion of the industrial complex who are literally raping the landscape and robbing the people. My next article should be about that... or how Cancer Research is a Hoax to the tune of Trillions.

Do research - Find the truth - it will not be the first time