Kakaire A. Kirunda
30 September 2008
Unverified faith healing is posing a threat to adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by persons living with HIV/Aids.
This was revealed last Saturday by The Aids Support Organisation Executive Director, Mr Robert Ochai, during the organisation's 17th annual general meeting attended by more than 1,000 delegates from across the country.
"Some clients have been misled into prematurely stopping their medication, which is extremely harmful to their health," Mr Ochai said, without giving statistics. "While we believe in God, and his ability to perform miracles, we also encourage our clients to adhere to their medications."
Taso is the pioneer Aids care organisation in the country, which also provides ART to 23,000 people.
Several Pentecostal churches in the country, more so in Kampala, invite the sick, including those with Aids, for spiritual healing. Some churches promise miracles, sometimes in exchange for their patients' valuables.
The most publicised case is of Ms Frances Adroa who claimed last year that she was tricked by pastors of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God into offering her car to the church.
She later sued the pastors after her condition deteriorated and they refused to return her car.
Mr Ochai, said the problem is growing and requires urgent intervention.
Taso Public Relations Officer Robert Nakibumba, explained that adherence to ART is very critical in the management of HIV/Aids.
He added that although there is over 95 per cent adherence to ART by Taso clients, all persons on medication across the country under different care providers need to stick to treatment.
Delivering a speech on the challenges of ART, one of the founder members of Taso and the organisation's first doctor, Prof Elly Katabira, emphasised the importance of strict adherence to medication.
"We do not yet have a cure to Aids and therefore, anyone who is on ART today and those who will start tomorrow are likely to take it for the rest of their lives," he said.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Ssekandi, promised secure an increment in the Health budget next financial year to address the ever increasing needs of the sector.
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