Crossword Genius

Helps out hero from Rhodesia (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aids

'helps' is the definition.
('aid' can be a synonym of 'help')

'out hero from rhodesia' is the wordplay.
'out' indicates an anagram.
'from' is a deletion indicator.
'rhodesia' with 'hero' taken away is 'dsia'.
'dsia' is an anagram of 'AIDS'.

(Other definitions for aids that I've seen before include "Said to be an international disease" , "Said to be a modern plague" , "Helps with a dread disease" , "Condition following infection with HIV virus" , "Assists" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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