THE GAMBIA: PRESIDENT JAMMEH'S HEALING POWERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000175 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017 TAGS: PGOV SOCI GA SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: PRESIDENT JAMMEH'S HEALING POWERS EXTEND TO DIABETES REF: BANJUL 124 ET AL Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D) JAMMEH'S CLAIM OF DIABETES CURE -------------- ¶1. (U) President Yahya Jammeh has announced the expansion of his medical treatment program to include diabetes patients. In an April 3 GOTG cabinet meeting, according to the local press, Jammeh revealed to his ministers that, in addition to his current treatment program for HIV/AIDS and asthma patients (reftel),he would soon begin treatment of diabetes patients. Jammeh claimed to have recently conducted a successful test of his treatment regime on five diabetes sufferers, stating that all had "regained their health." He further claimed the ability to cure diabetes patients "within five minutes" and instructed the Health and Social Welfare Minister to begin registering patients for his diabetes treament program. COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (C) Jammeh's announcement followed recent signs that he might be easing up on his treatment of HIV/AIDS and asthma patients (reftel),but to our knowledge, he continues to receive persons afflicted with these illnesses. The general view of our contacts is that at some point Jammeh is likely to abandon quietly his treatment efforts, especially given persistent reports of deaths and deteriorating health among his patients. However, Jammeh's decision to expand his treatment program to include diabetes patients suggests that Jammeh's belief in his special healing power so far remains unshaken. END COMMENT STAFFORD