DREAM warns Aids patients over prophets
The Drug Resource Enhancement against Aids and Malnutrition (DREAM) Programme has warned people living with HIV and Aids (PLWHAs) that they are risking their lives by abandoning anti-retroviral therapy (ART) on advice from faith leaders.
The warning comes after revelations that 2 637 PLWHAs in Balaka have abandoned ARVs on advice from prophets and pastors.
Speaking at Mziza Primary School in the district last Sunday during the events marking the 2013 World Aids Day, DREAM programme manager Francisco Zuze warned that stopping ARVs may compromise the immune system and lead to adverse effects on patients.
Zuze said research has shown that patients who abandon treatment develop drug-resistant diseases.
He said while DREAM does not undermine the strength of prayers in bringing healing to the sick, patients will be risking their lives if they stop taking drugs before doctors advise them to do so.
“Our problem is that pastors and prophets don’t have the capacity to detect whether a patient has indeed been cured. It would, therefore, be improper for the sick to abandon medicine before consulting medical practitioners,” said Zuze.
He said it is not sinful to take ARVs, arguing that God recommended the use of medicines to cure illnesses.
Zuze said with funding from the Norwegian Church Aid, his organisation is determined to scale up provision of ARVs, care and support to children and families infected or infected by the pandemic in Balaka.
