Interview with U.S. physician: Dr Robert Gallo

How and where did the AIDS disease start?

Since twenty years we have been doing research on the HIV virus that causes AIDS as well as studies on other sexually transmitted diseases. My experiences have shown that, it is a disease that affects the human system. A lot of literature has been published on it and it is rather near impossible to underpin its origin to people or a region. The crucial issue of the day is how do we prevent it. For now emphasis is still being laid on prevention. This is because no scientific treatment is certain. It is obvious that there is no Jesus to save life for now and people should learn to prevent themselves from infection.

What appreciation of the move taken by the African First Ladies?

I am overwhelmed by the cooperation, enthusiasm about what is going on here in Yaounde. The sensitisation drive taken by the African First Ladies is a step in the right direction. And I think like my friend, Montagnier, we are going to encourage and support them by way of training and sharing experiences in our search for a solution to HIV/AIDS. We have been doing this with Nigeria and will extend it to Cameroon and other African countries. Actually I am overwhelmed by the interest shown by Cameroonians in the desire to curb the spread of AIDS.

Any hope for treatment?

There is no way one can promise treatment in a complex situation like this. One cannot say there will be treatment tomorrow or next year with the complexity of this disease in tropical Africa. For now, one can practically talk of preventive drugs rather than those that can cure. The drugs for now can only improve on resistance of the human body to the virus and in America and Europe, the situations are not the same to a larger extent. We use different approaches. One approach may not necessarily be applicable to the other and this makes things worse for researchers. As an immunologist, I have not studied the situation in sub Saharan Africa and it becomes difficult to understand it. However, the level of promiscuity, I don't know. Blood contact and other means that someone can get infected. Mother-child transmission needs be measured and available drugs prescribed to prevent it. There are a number of variables to assemble before one can think of a treatment depending on the situation. Therapeutic treatment is life-assuring so far.

Professor Victor Anomah Ngus' auto-retroviral vaccine is a near breakthrough. Any comment?

It is unfortunate I have not yet studied the approach talked about. I happened to have heard about it for my first time sometimes this year in the United States of America. I met Professor Ngu just yesterday (last Friday) and we hadn't the chance to talk about it. It is indeed difficult to appreciate the effort for the moment.

How do you see the future of the disease in Africa and the world at large?

One can be optimistic that in some five or more years some research findings will help get a cure for the disease. It may even take longer. We, I mean researchers, need to enhance findings perhaps for a quicker solution. So many opinions and findings are coming up. In brief, the future bears some hope for treatment.

Have you any advice to Cameroonians?

They should know that the future is not quite easy. Abstinence is the safest means to avoid infection. The use of the condom should not be ignored. One would imagine that couples will stay clear of any possible way that can make them infected. There is no magic solution. Cameroonians should have the strong believe that the people in America and Europe care. We are making efforts to develop vaccine that can cure the people in Europe, America, Africa and the rest of the world.

Some traditional medicine practitioners are vocal about their ability to treat AIDS. Can't you researchers in modern medicine work with them?

Well, it depends on the nature of the traditional medicine. To the best of my mind, most traditional medicines remain dangerous for lack of scientific precision. Traditional medicines can be useful if the components of measurement, timing and packaging can be taken care of after due scientific approval.