Where Have The Patients Gone?

Over the past month, the hospital has been half empty – both children and adult wards. The numbers of admissions have been much lower than the average for this time of the year – which is usually high on the children’s ward because: (1) the end of the dry season brings in children who are malnourished, and (2) the start of the rainy season brings in children with malaria. 

Where have the patients gone?

They have been flocking to see Babu (picture above), who is a pastor of a church in an area called Loliondo (picture above).   About a month ago, Babu (which means Grandfather in Swahili) claimed to have a vision from God to mix a specific tree root and water for herbal medicine that could cure 5 common chronic diseases (cancer, HIV, diabetes, hypertension, asthma).  

Since then, thousands of Tanzanians have been flocking daily to drink the herbal medicine he makes, including politicians and citizens from neighboring countries.  Babu charges 500 shillings (35 US cents) for a cup of herbal medicine that will cure the 5 chronic diseases.  Patients also no longer need to take their medications.  

Word on the Mwanza street is that some people have been “cured” after seeing Babu.  Though, talking to other doctors in the hospital, there have been some major casualties from people returning from Loliondo– especially the people who have stopped taking their insulin, hypertensive medications or anti-retroviral medications – and have become very sick.

Please pray for the people here, who many of them are desperate for help outside of a dysfunctional health-care system.  Many are also looking for a “quick fix” to their chronic diseases, and both herbal medicine and belief in faith for healing are popular here.