Acupuncture to Relive AIDS Symptoms in Africa
We have all heard the horrifying reports of
Africa’s battle against AIDS and HIV.
The Boston Globe reported the numbers of 1.1 million HIV-positive cases in
Uganda, with a forecasted increase to 1.8 million by the year 2012 – less than five years from now.
The scary statistics have left many in the medical community trying to determine any possible solutions. In alternative and complementary medical circles, acupuncture is a viable answer.
In response to the growing epidemic, Richard Mandell, a New England School of Acupuncture instructor, created the Pan-African Acupuncture Project back in 2003.
The Boston Globe reported that Mandell’s non-profit group is working to “train Ugandan health care workers to administer acupuncture to people living with HIV/AIDS.” Even if the native workers do not understand the philosophies behind why the needles relieve chronic insomnia and diarrhea (two symptoms frequently associated with the disease), the alternative healing techniques can still be effective.
Mandell also explained to the Globe the cost effectiveness of his the Pan-African Acupuncture Project “Providing acupuncture treatment to one person once weekly for one month in the country -- where the average annual salary is $280 -- costs $6.00”.
More than 100 Ugandan health care workers have been trained in acupuncture through this program and he is looking to expand into Malawi as well.