Tema, Nov. 12, GNA - Members of the Golf City Co-operative Herbal Manufacturers and Marketing Society (GCCHMMS) on Saturday threw a challenge that, given the necessary equipment, they could find an antidote to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

According to them they have cured many patients, who consulted them with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and since it has similarities with the pandemic, they could venture into its research and find the herbs that could manage the virus "and we will surely succeed". "If we have cured severe STDs, why can't we have herbs for HIV virus, it is a matter of conducting research into it", Mr Stephen Otchere, chairman and his Vice, Mr Isaac Nyarko of the society gave the assurance when they spoke to the Ghana News Agency at Tema on Saturday on the potency of their herbal medicine.

They appealed to the government to assist the society to procure equipment to enable them conduct research into the HIV virus and "we would surely come out with preventive medicine". They also entreated the government to organise periodic seminars for them, as offered their counterparts in the scientific medicine. On the public perception about herbal medicine, Mr Otchere and Mr Nyarko said they work in close collaboration with the Food and Drugs Board, as well as the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine at Mampong Akuapem and therefore, allayed the fears of the public about the potency of their medicine.

They said in order to reach out to the public they intend opening shops in Tema, Ashaiman and other areas, adding that, currently, the "Dua Ma Aduro" Herbal Centre at the Golf City, near Ashaiman was almost full everyday.

According to them, since the society was inaugurated about a month ago, they have attended to about 110 patients with aliments such as typhoid, malaria, anaemia, jaundice and STDs. 12 Nov. 05