John Oywa
14 March 2008
Nairobi — Kenya could soon start mass production of a rare food supplement that scientists believe prolongs the lives of HIV/Aids and cancer patients.
The supplement, Spirulina, is said to have helped millions of Aids and cancer patients bounce back to life in Asia and many African countries where it was discovered.
Scientists and public health experts at Maseno University are collaborating with two NGOs to establish Spirulina's impact on poor people living with HIV/Aids.
Prof Wilson Odero, the director of the School of Public Health and Community Development at the university, said that he was part of the research team.
He said the food supplement, produced from natural algae, could boost fight against HIV/Aids if it was proved viable.
Spirulina is blue-green algae, mostly found in salty lakes. The algae is harvested and processed into a powder food supplement. It would be an economic boost to poor groups which will produce and sell it to hospitals and other centres that care for Aids patients.
The Standard has learnt that Kisumu Kids Empowerment Organisation, an NGO, was producing Spirulina at the town's Tom Mboya Estate and had enlisted the help of researchers.
The NGO also trains members of women groups in Kisumu and its environs to grow algae in ponds, from which the Spirulina will be harvested.
Ms Els Wijt-Mulder, the Kisumu Kids Organisation director-general, who introduced the supplement in Kenya, said she was working with 20 women groups, six of which had started projects.
She has hired an expert, Mr Fundi Malombo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to help set up the project in Kenya. "I have started a Spirulina self-help group. Many people are interested and that is why I sought the help of researchers," she said.
Okeyo said his team would conduct research with the Kisumu Kids Organisation and St Francis Community Development Programme, an NGO.
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