Churches hamper ARV use
Oct 20, 2005
CHURCHES are negating the distribution of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS, saying Jesus will heal them, the director of kamwokya Christian Caring community (KCCC), Francis Mbazira, said on Tuesday.
By Patrick Jaramogi
CHURCHES are negating the distribution of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS, saying Jesus will heal them, the director of kamwokya Christian Caring community (KCCC), Francis Mbazira, said on Tuesday.
He asked the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) to address the issue.
“Pentecostal churches are frustrating our efforts of treating HIV/AIDS. They tell our patients to stop taking the ARVs, saying God will heal them. This is very dangerous,†Mbazira said.
He was meeting the UAC chairperson, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, at the commission’s premises in Kamwokya, Kampala.
Mbazira said most patients were dying because of the belief that Jesus had healed them.
“One of them told us that her pastor had stopped her from taking the drugs. She is now very badly off and might die soon,†Mbazira said.
He said after going to Pentecostal churches, the majority of the patients did not return for their next dose of drugs.
“We all believe that God heals, but he also heals through drugs,†he said.
Halem’Imana said the commission would issue a statement about the reports.
Mbazira said the centre catered for 8,220 people living with HIV/AIDS, of whom 620 were receiving free drugs.
“With funding from USAID, we also provide nutritional support to 6,000 people, many of whom are living with HIV/AIDS,†he said.
Halem’Imana hailed KCCC for sensitising, caring and treating people living with HIV/AIDS.
CHURCHES are negating the distribution of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS, saying Jesus will heal them, the director of kamwokya Christian Caring community (KCCC), Francis Mbazira, said on Tuesday.
He asked the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) to address the issue.
“Pentecostal churches are frustrating our efforts of treating HIV/AIDS. They tell our patients to stop taking the ARVs, saying God will heal them. This is very dangerous,†Mbazira said.
He was meeting the UAC chairperson, Bishop Barnabas Halem’Imana, at the commission’s premises in Kamwokya, Kampala.
Mbazira said most patients were dying because of the belief that Jesus had healed them.
“One of them told us that her pastor had stopped her from taking the drugs. She is now very badly off and might die soon,†Mbazira said.
He said after going to Pentecostal churches, the majority of the patients did not return for their next dose of drugs.
“We all believe that God heals, but he also heals through drugs,†he said.
Halem’Imana said the commission would issue a statement about the reports.
Mbazira said the centre catered for 8,220 people living with HIV/AIDS, of whom 620 were receiving free drugs.
“With funding from USAID, we also provide nutritional support to 6,000 people, many of whom are living with HIV/AIDS,†he said.
Halem’Imana hailed KCCC for sensitising, caring and treating people living with HIV/AIDS.