Malawi Aids patients warned against ‘faith healing’: 5 die

People living with HIV and Aids (PLWHAs) have been warned that they are risking their lives by abandoning anti-retroviral therapy (ART) on advice from faith leaders.

Aids patients urged not to default ARV treatment
Aids patients urged not to default ARV treatment

National Association for People Living with HIV and Aids in Malawi (Napham) has issued the warning after five people who had been taking the life-prolonging treatment have died after being advised by a pastor to abandon the ART in Nkhata Bay.

Napham summoned members of the pastors’ fraternity to express their concern over the pastor’s tendency.

Napham district coordinator for Mzimba and Nkhata Bay, Grace Mbendera warned that stopping ARVs may compromise the immune system and lead to adverse effects on patients.

Mbendera said the church should be at the forefront in the fight against HIV and Aids, bemoaning acts by men of God in telling patients to stop ART, saying that is hindering the efforts.

She further- urged those on life prolonging drugs not to abandon treatment as reports indicate that 2 022 clients on ART have abandoned the life-prolonging drug.

Research has shown that patients who abandon treatment develop drug-resistant diseases.

Village head Ngalauka Wapachanya, from Traditional Authority (T/A) Malanda in Nkhatabay said he lost his nephew following the pastor’s directive, on the grounds that he was completely healed following a deliverance session administered to him.

Chairperson of the Pastor’s Fraternity, Pastor Albert Masowo, said he will summon the alleged pastor “as his deeds are destroying the reputation of men of God in the district.”

And Drug Resource Enhancement against Aids and Malnutrition (DREAM) programme manager Francisco Zuze said it is not sinful to take ARVs, arguing that God recommended the use of medicines to cure illnesses.

Zuze said Men of God have no authority to advise patients to stop taking ARVs.

He said defaulting on medication after receiving “spiritual healing “could cause health complications.

Zuze said it was important for church organisations, community based organisations and nongovernmental organisations to take keen interest in educating people about HIV/AIDS and ARVs.

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Ellias
Ellias
8 years ago

They should go for testes after the prayer then see Nanga osapita kukayezetsa basi asiyilatu mankhwala?

Paul
8 years ago

i have no doubt in God! he does wonders but people lets be real God helps those who help themselves don’t be fooled. take your medication keep your faith God will make wonders.

Let Us Pray
Let Us Pray
8 years ago

Surely there is power in prayer and God heals, no doubt about it. Amen.

John
John
8 years ago
Reply to  Let Us Pray

Your comments lack credibility as you are using a fake name to post your comment.
Mind you, I am not surprised you are acting as a charlatan as your remarks represent a virtual death sentence for anyone who acts on what you have said.
You are a murderer.
You are supporting the killing of innocent people with your ill-considered remarks.
You should hang your head in shame for the appalling “advice” you offer.
You are an utter disgrace to all of humankind.

John
John
8 years ago

This un-named pastor should be publicly exposed, named and prosecuted for the deaths of the people involved. If the Malawi state will not prosecute this individual then the village head and other interested parties should support the bereaved families to sue the pastor and his organisation for substantial financial compensation under the law of tort for the loss of their relatives. As we all know, religious charlatans care only about one thing: money. If they are hit in their pockets this will stop their reckless behaviour. It would be an added bonus to see these charlatans sent to jail for… Read more »

Tt
Tt
8 years ago

Hey Hey, I know what I am talking about! You guys screaming JESUS and saying western medicine as bad are complete hypocrites, coz may be you are not infected yourself (how dare you say prayer is better?) ask your relative with HIV, do you really think they would have been around without man made ARVS? Furthermore: The Jesus you believe in WAS IN FACT BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE VERY SAME PEOPLE, noone of your ignorant ancestors, busy chasing monkeys and lions, HAD NO IDEA that some JEW was born of a VIRGIN with a STAR hovering right above his… Read more »

aningo
aningo
8 years ago

Obsession with prayer and religion is turning us into a nation of fools. We have thrown all reason to the dogs

Nabanda
Nabanda
8 years ago

Let me simply ask a question:-

KODI MUNTHU UKUYENDA M’NKHALANGO, MWATSOKA WAKUMANA NDI MKANGO, NDIYE MKANGO UJA WAYAMBA KUKUTHAMANGITSA, KODI UNGAGWADE NDIKUYAMBA KUPEMPHERA? KAPENA UYAMBA KUTHAWA? PAKATI POTHAWA NDIKUPEMPHERA UNGAYAMBE CHANI? AM SURE KUTI UYAMBA KUTHAMANGA KWINA UKUPEMPHERA, THE SAME AS THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON ARV’S DONT ABANDON YOUR TABLETS INCLUDING YOUR GOD. AM NOT SAYING PUPEMPHERA NKOYIPA, NO!!!!! BUT EVEN THE BIBLE SAYS FAITH WITHOUT ACTION THAT FAITH IS DEAD.

NDONGODUTSA SIN’DATCHOLE NKHWANI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wilfred
Wilfred
8 years ago

TK, may the Lord have mercy on you, I don’t think you even know what you are talking about.

MATENDA
MATENDA
8 years ago

God should wake up to stop taking the taking toxins made by pharmaceuticals and calling them medicine. I would rather pray and eat vegetables than trust something which is made by evil men would actually cure me. ARVS ARE SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO DESTROY TCELLS THE DNA OF THE PERSON TAKING THEM AND FINALLY DEATH FOLLOWS. R SO I WOULD RATHER PRAY AFTER TAKING THE ARV BECAUSE THAT IS HE KILLER NOT THE VIRUS. THEN THEY TELL YOU THAT YOU DIED OF AIDS RELATED INFECTION . MAY GOD WAKE UP THE DUMBEST AFRICANS WHO BELIEVE IN WESTERN MEDICINE THAN THE MOST… Read more »

Godknows
Godknows
8 years ago

“Tt” must be forgiven becoz he/she doen’t know what he/she is talking about. May the good Lord Jesus of Nazareth forgive him/her and show him/her light as he did to Saul on the road to Darmascus. I can strongly believe that “Tt” is pocessed by demons and needs deliverance. And he/she is also a son and daughter of Lucifer who hates God’s sons and daughters. JESUS CHRIST NEVER SAID GOODBYE, He is alive and is a permanent HEALER to those who believe in Him and prays in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH-AMEN!

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