Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka says he is not ready to meet Microbicide Development Programme (MDP) officials without an explanation on how the 46 women contracted HIV/AIDs during the failed clinical trials.
The Chief told MDP Community Liason Officer, Kennedy Mundia that he and his workmates should not expect to go unpunished after administering a Gel on selected women that has resulted in some contracting HIV.
He said he can only meet the officials after the organisation has met his conditions that include compensation of the affected victims.
The irate Chief Mwanachingwala who could not give time to Mundia to explain what transpired however said it was pointless for him to engage in dialogue with the organisation now because the organisation could not reverse their current status.[quote]
Chief Mwanchingwala charged that MDP allegedly recruited uneducated women who did not understand the nature of the clinical trials and its consequences.
But Mr Mundia pleaded with the chief to allow MDP officials visit him at the palace so that they could explain what transpired despite the chief maintains his stance.
No official date was fixed during the heated debate in which the chief among other things called for the prosecution of the initiators of the programme.
Chief Mwanachingwala has since called on the government to be careful in recommending organisations carrying out research on HIV to protect vulnerable women from contracting HIV and AIDs.
The Gel was administered on women an hour before any sexual encounter. This was done so as to determine the efficacy of the drug called PRO 2000.
ZANIS
Now this is a serious offence just as serious as comitting murder. No need for dialog, let it God to the courts immediately and let justice prevail. What I dont understand is who were these women sleeping with, their infected husbands or it was free for all in the name of trials. People lets not forget our dignity and values, dont forget our bodies are God’s temples and should not be used anyhow.
Knowing Tongas they were all alreaeddy infected when they came for trials. I mean, which honest woman who knows her status to be negative would go for such a trial, applying a jelly and having a man somewhere within the hour ready to copulate with? Which men were these and were these man known to the women before the jelly was applied? The case points to a culture of promiscuity that has created a fertile ground for the spread of AIDS and no wonder even the chief of Bantu Botatwe VJ himself seems to be struggling with the virus. Have you seen his head of late, it looks like a Gwemba valley vulture.
This issue raises so many questions. 1) If HIV is so easily transmissable, why weren’t they infected before the trial started? 2) What is really being measured, and how were these tests conducted. If done incorrectly or cheaply, these tests create a lot of false positives, and can be influenced by issues such as previous pregnancy, antibodies to leprosy, malaria, etc. There are over 60 known factors that cause a false positive result on a single ELISA – which is how tests are used in surveys.
There are a lot of questions no one wants to address.
And again this is where all those “women” organisations should come in. Where is emely sikazwe, where is the NGO CC, the gender ministry if its still there? This cannot be torelated. And those men they used, where they the ministry officials themselves? Honestly people should have morals. This is very disturbing.
That is absolutely unacceptable and i believe the gov needs to question this organisation,possible jail all of them.Life inprisonment should be the least charge.No jokes
No jokes indeed! This matter is a very serious one and MDP must be brought to book! The British government should also not keep silent about the matter and pretend that they did not know about it. Such overseas clinical trials normally require approval by the Foreign Office authorities.
The louder we Zambians (especially those in the UK!) speak about this injustice, the more people will know about it, and the more international pressure MDP and the British Govt will face. It is amazing that the story is not even on CNN Inside Africa! There is no excuse for such crimes against humanity! Gone are the days when we used to turn the other cheek!!
What is going on on our beloved Tongaland?
This is serious issue,some pipo should be jailed for sure
With due respect, #2 “Marvellous Marvin Hagler” you comment sounds like coming from a retard with a skwed up perception of people, culture and reality. Anyway, its typical of grade 7 repeaters who finally made it to some unknown institution in the far east through connections.
#6 “Nine Chale”…I agree with your voice of reason….no wonder you are LT’s top blogger!
Never and I repeat never, trust a Whiteman, when it comes to his dealings with Africa,for verification purposes one just need to revist history.From the 16 hundreds when the scramble for Africa began to date,a whiteman has never treated Africans as equal Partners in any sphere of human well being,be it political,social or economics.In the 21 centuary it baggles one´s mind to behold the continued plunder of the continent´s resources and sub-human treatment of it´s citizens.This has been enhenced by the lack of Strong,visionary,high moral leadership.
#2.Your comments lack substance and you sound like a retard.It´s amazing that in the 21 centuary we still have species that have your mind set.
#2. Women were tested for HIV before the trail and only those who tested negative took part. There are indeed ethical issues attached to this research. However, the research obtained the ethical approval from numerous bodies. Science can be painful sometimes but that is how we learn about intricate concepts. Next door to my house at Northwick Park Hospital some people who take part in a clinical trial nearly died few years ago. Any research that involves human has to formulate a risk assessment plan. My heart goes to the women for being brave.
‘Who took part’ sorry for the blip.
dont comment on issues you dont understand.
The MDP works at the Zambia Sugar plantation, which is a property of Illovo Sugar Limited, where there are 7,500 employees on the estate, supporting a population of 25,000. They recruited participants both from the sugar estate and from outside in the local town of Mazabuka.
All participants were thoroughly explain the nature, benefits and risks before they decided to enter the trial. Local community leaders were involved all along. All women received extensive counselling and free comdoms and were strongly encouraged to use them.
No women became infected as a results of participating in the trial. There is a high level of HIV in the area and some women became infected because they had unprotected sex with an infected partner.
For accurate information, visit the MDP website.
#2…..please mind your speech! what do you mean” knowing Tongas”! are you suggesting that Tonga women are more promiscuous than women from other tribes? Please don’t comment on issues you don’t understand and when you dare to do that, express your ignorance by asking sensible questions.
You stink!
don’t throw blame on the poor zambians that were working for mdp, i visited the website and asked the ceo the following:
“Dear Sir,
I want to know what your official stance is regards the infections in Africa as a result of your clinical trials. A lot of uneducated and possibly illiterate people are infected with HIV as a result of using your microbides – what is your official position on this?”
this was their response:
“Thank you for your email.
The MDP has announced the main result of the 301 Trial here: www dot mdp dot mrc dot ac dot uk
It is inaccurate to say that uneducated and illiterate people have been infected as a result of them participating in the trial. You will find on our website a description of each site and how the volunteers enrolled in the trial. I urge you to read the various documents (particularly the Q&A) that we have made available online for the public, and I urge you to be very careful with what you read in the press and that has been mostly inaccurate.
Yours sincerely
Roger”
this is what happens when bad govt is opening up the country to rape. the legality of the trials is probably undisputed but there are no underlying ethics in the way business is conducted in zambia and our govt is weak.
#10: Only HIV negative women participated. The trial is an African-european partnership. In each country the african partner is in charge of running the programme & has full autonomy.
#2: promiscuity is not an issue. HIV is real, people have s*x and they cannot always use condoms. That’s how they become infected, in Zambia, in Africa, and everywhere else.
#17: You got an answer to your email.
#18: all clinical trials have to be approved by ethics committees both in the UK and in Zambia. They also must be approved by the MHRA in the UK and by its equivalent in The Zambia, the MoH. Everything is made to ensure the safety of the participants.
Again all your questions have an answer in the documents provided on the MDP website. It would be useful to read these before…
Emily Sikazwe(NGOCC), this is your time to go and tell RB. This is more important than what you told RB over Chansa Kabwela. Shame on you Emily, you tried to be a good ‘girl’ to RB so that he can propose love to you and abondon Thandiwe (the underage) simply because he is your size. Can you now talk on behalf of these women.
#2 ur sentiments reflect ur highest level of insanity and low literacy, thats an insult to the tribe. learn to sensor ur words before u put them public ****.
# 6 Thank you, we need people that can think and talk sense like you. This is a serious case that does not require jokes about. Let justice prevail.
# 21 Emily is maybe older than ur illiterate mom. have some respect. She has better things to do. This is the problem with not teaching children manners, they grow up to be big headed en make useless comments of no substance without facts. En for ur infor retard, ask Ms. Sara Longwe (Mrs. clark) who deals with such, Mrs. Sikazwe is WFC but i doubt she can listen to ur ill manner less u. Buy some manner.
Still had to come back specifically for #2. Marvin, u need a lot of education, mental screening en in fact Adult Literacy under a tree so that u can learn to connect with reality and facts.
I pity people who r shallow minded like you. Maybe as we discuss this, u have more infected relatives than anyone on this forum. What do u mean knowing Tongas? U r obviously in one way or the other either infected or affected by the virus okey!
Its VERY disappointing to learn that i live in the same world with people premature & uncivilised jerks live marvin. Am SAD!!!!