Francis Aka-ebila Aka-eri,
Someri21@yahoo.com

Scripture presents us with a litany of epidemics that once plagued our ancestors in ancient Egypt. It also adds that our ancestors held their ground and survived.

How did they do it? Surely, much as we may not have all the answers as to what our ancestors did, we know they did something and survived as a result of it. And what they did was uniquely their own invention, which they cleverly knew best as Africans. Why then is Africa defenseless against the epidemics of today? Why is Ebola such a dreadful threat that seems poised to claim Africa without a fight?

While our clueless African leaders call on the western world to once again play god in our lives and our western trained scientists calling for money and more money to throw at the problem, we must self-reliantly buckle down to finding a cure. Like our ancestors, we have the power to control our own destiny and make things work for us and not against us. Let's do it.

As a scientist, the following is what I think we should do. And please feel free to share your views to defend Africa. Let's pursue the simple use of African herbs. Summon all the scientists, creative thinkers and herbalists of your community. Discuss the issue at hand. Ask all herbalists to present their herbs for trials against Ebola. Secure and incubate the blood of known Ebola patients at normal body temperature.

With well labeled test tubes, cross match samples of the infested blood with the herbs presented by each herbalist and monitor at specific time intervals, such as 3, 24, 48 hours. Please note, running diagnostic tests can be very deadly. Don your personal protective equipment and practice hand hygiene without fail. Take no shortcuts and always remember that safety has no quitting time. Besides, the deadly bug you are trying to eliminate is poised to eliminate you and all those find themselves in its path. Failure is not an option.

Herbs that destroy or render the virus inactive at normal human body temperature could as well treat patients, when appropriately administered. If none is successful, mix herbs and keep trying till you find a cure. Document all details, video record and secure your experiments in more than one location. Make copies and save them for those behind you to learn and possibly continue the good fight in your absence. Remember this is not about you, it is about the survival of your people and continent.

Ask your local community leaders for security as you proceed on this experiment. Do not trust anyone and take no chances. Remember Drobo and the cure for HIV/AIDS. Your life could be in danger when western pharmaceutical companies learn about your strides in this endeavour. They invest many millions of dollars on scientific research and to have competition, clearly spells doom for them.

For Africa; please protect one another and do it for the survival of your people. May the wisdom of our ancestors be your guide and may the creator empower you to succeed. For Africa and the world, we shall prevail.