Camel urine 'cure' in Uganda?

In Uganda’s Karamoja region, located in the eastern part of the country, residents are keeping camels for different purposes. Apart from providing meat and milk, the urine of this mammal is also important in curing certain diseases. According to the locals, it keeps them healthy and even cures diseases like HIV AIDS.

“This urine, you use three times every day, in the morning, noon and night. If symptoms persist, you must use it for four months without missing using same prescription. You then visit a doctor. If you still feel pain in that month, don’t worry it will vanish,” said Idriss Shaban, a camel urine seller.

The World Health Organisation has however urged people to refrain from drinking camel urine. It says the urine has been proven to cause the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory disease which can prove fatal. But desperate patients are willing to take the risk in order to be healed.

The Ugandan government has still not made any follow up concerning the health benefits of camel urine. But this will only be done when it is scientifically proven though it remains a hope for many who overlook the risks.