Church council slams HIV 'cure'
2006-11-30 08:51
Special Report
President Jacob Zuma has met with American businessman Bill Gates to discuss issues relating to the country's HIV/Aids pandemic.
Johannesburg - The SA Council of Churches (SACC) is "deeply disturbed" by a traditional healer's claim that 500 HIV-positive people had been cured with African herbs, the SACC said on Wednesday.
"Herbs may play an important role in treating opportunistic infections, but to make claims of curing Aids without hard scientific evidence is irresponsible, misleading and mischievous," said SACC general secretary Eddie Makue.
Such misinformation caused confusion and undermined South Africa's resolve to reduce infections and unite against the epidemic.
The Citizen newspaper reported on Wednesday that about 200 healers and health practitioners were told last week that more than 500 HIV-positive people were cured this year with herbs.
The chief co-ordinator of Nyangazezize traditional healers, Suzzy Ngobeni, reportedly said the herbs were collected from different parts of Africa between 2004 and 2006.
The herbs were said to be able to cure people with the beginning stages of HIV but not full-blown Aids.
In a statement, the SACC called on credible traditional healers' organisations to distance themselves from such unproven claims and to collaborate with health professionals and HIV activists.
Herbal treatments must undergo the same rigorous clinic trials as prescription medicines and any pronouncement of an Aids cure must be tested, verified and evidence based.
Winning the war against Aids required accurate information on prevention, treatment, care and support.
Churches should be centres to distribute accurate information and worship services used to educate, empower and promote compassion.
Church members should be encouraged to check their HIV status at voluntary counselling and testing centres, Makue said.
- SAPA