Green Diamonds, a Namibian ARV

Factually, the HIV virus is one of the most feared viruses in the world and in Namibia, and there is no known cure for it. Over the years, pharmaceutical scientists have found methods to slow down the growth of the virus and in turn; extend human life. These methods are known to us as Anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment. Africa in particular, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this treatment because of the high prevalence on the continent.
Marius Hedimbi, a lecturer at the University of Namibia who is a director for post-graduate studies has embarked on a journey to produce a locally made form of ARV treatment which he hopes could be used as a complimentary herbal drug by HIV/ AIDS infected patients.
The lecturer who was born in Endola, a village in the Ohangwena region, completed his primary school education there. He later moved to Oshikoto Secondary School in Tsumeb where he subsequently matriculated. Hedimbi did relatively well in secondary school, and was an outstanding student in the different science subjects.
Right after matriculating, he was enrolled at UNAM, where he studied for a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in chemistry and biology. This still wasn’t enough for Hedimbi, who decided to study for a Master’s degree. Throughout his academic journey, he received the chancellor’s award, which is given to the overall best student.
Immediately after graduating, he became a lecturer at the Faculty of Sciences. In 2012, he moved to the School of Medicine in the Department of Microbiology and that’s when he started his dissertation on “Evaluation of selected Namibian Traditional Medicinal Plants of Anti-HIV Properties.”
Hedimbi says that this thesis topic interested him because he had witnessed how traditional healers based in the northern regions of Namibia were using plant life to weaken the effects the virus had on the human body.
“What the traditional healers use, works but in order for people everywhere in Namibia to benefit from it, we needed scientific support” he said.
Using a combination of long hours and late nights of research, Hedimbi travelled to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in Pretoria, South Africa on numerous occasions and conducted experiments to trace the secret healing properties of these plants.
Hedimbi studied some of the currently used ARVs and found some of the compounds in the plant. With the samples they had, they were able to isolate this chemical compound that can be used to condense the virus.
Science has however shown us that not all tests done theoretically, have similar success in the practical world. They then started with tests on animal cells and the outcome was positive, more positive than they had thought. Hedimbi said: “The compound inhibits the growth of the virus much more effectively compared to some of the available ARV’s currently on the market.”
Hedimbi says if it is used appropriately coupled with a healthy lifestyle, this product could extend life expectancy.
While some may have their doubts about the safety and effects of this drug, Hedimbi made it clear that people have been using the faded form of this drug for years through prescription from traditional healers.
What the researchers did was to get the pure form of the chemical used in the plant in its raw state which will enhance the performance of the medicine since the rest of the chemicals in the plant dilute its strength when taking it whole.
One other reason for the need of the pure product is because the virus is capable of building resistance to a certain chemical. Viruses familiarise themselves with a certain structure put up to defend the human body and overcome those cells. They mutate, thus making the medication less effective the longer it is used. This is the reason there is a constant update and search for solutions on HIV.
The advantages of having this remedy made locally would be that in the long term, it would cost our country less to acquire ARVs and it would be an open window for job creation and Namibia could eventually make revenue out of its production.
Hedimbi says if it were to be in drug form, it would be very difficult to get it out there. “This would cost an immense amount of money to create, coupled with up to 25 years for it to materialise, maybe less maybe more” he commented with regard to the production of the drug on a large scale saying it would cost a lot of money and take a lot of time to produce.
The other direction would be the herbal method. Hedimbi says going the herbal route could reach the general public mush faster. “This could be used in the form of a tea-bag or something in your soup” he said. “It would then be used as a complimentary drug, taken concurrently with your current treatment.”
For this to materialise, the researchers need input from pharmacies.
“Currently we are still at a research and validation stage, we need more pharmaceutical input on this. Pharmacies would be able to tell us which form of treatment and dosage would be most effective on the actual human body,” Hedimbi said.
At this stage, Hedimbi preferred not to mention the name of the plants used for two reasons. First and most importantly, people know these plants. In some places around Namibia they are very popular and if it was to be revealed that these plants can be used for the treatment of HIV, it could become extinct very quickly. This is the reason he decided to call the chemical “Green Diamonds”. The other reason would be the issue of compensation. Hedimbi contacted many traditional healers and tested numerous treatments. Compensating everyone who had an input would become very costly and confusing when it comes to benefit.
Garwin Beukes & Keith Vries