Egypt Postpones Use Of Hepatitis, Aıds Detectors

A medical agency affiliated to the Egyptian army on Saturday postponed the official use of two devices said to detect and cure both hepatitis C and AIDS for "extra experiments" on patients.



The devices were planned to be officially put into operation on June 30, according to a previous announcement by the Egyptian army.



On Saturday, however, Gamal al-Serafi, the head of the army's General Administration for Medical Services, said in a press conference that the devices will be experimented for six more months before the official operation in order to avoid any potential side effects.



Hepatitis C represents Egypt's most serious health affliction. Millions of Egyptians carry the disease, while available drugs have done little to counteract it.



Since its announcement about the machine, which is said to both detect and cure the disease, the research team has been co-opted by the Egyptian military.



Team members say they have been experimenting with the devices for the last 15 years.



Team member, Ahmed Moenis, said in the conference that the machines treat both hepatitis C and AIDS by purifying patients' blood over a period of 16 days.



When the team first unveiled the devices in February, reactions ranged from disbelief to satire.



By Nagwa Mustafa



englishnews@aa.com.tr



http: //www.aa.com.tr/en - Kahire