by Vu Kim Chung
July 1999
Scientists of the Institute of Biological Technology under the National Centre for Natural Sciences and Technology led by professor Nguyen Duy Dai have found a new kind of medicinal herb to treat AIDS patients. The announcement was made on July 1, 1999. This medicine, which is extracted from herbs, helps raise immune capability as well as improve health for AIDS patients. Over 70 voluntary AIDS carriers used this medicine and all of them have put on weight and their immune capabilities were much improved.
In comparison with AZT normally used to treat AIDS patients, this medicinal herb does not cause any side-effects and costs much less. Each patient spends about VND 1,500 (about ten cents) on the medicine eachday. The National Anti-AIDS Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is planning to use the herb to treat patients who have been using AZT and other kinds of medicinal herbs.