Haufiku condemns HIV prophets

Haufiku condemns HIV prophets Claims they can cure HIV irks minister Heath minister Bernard Haufiku has lashed out at prophets who claim they have a cure for HIV saying patients are quitting their meds because of it. The Ministry of Health and Social Services has urged patients not to throw away their anti-retroviral treatment (ART) medication because of prophets claiming that they can cure HIV.

Health Minister Bernard Haufiku said this is “utter nonsense” and puts patients’ lives at risk.

Handing over two of eight prefabricated ART therapy clinics to the Oupili and Omutwe-Womunhu communities in the Okongo District last week, Haufiku also deplored the sale of supplements that are apparently equal to ART therapy.

He said ARTs are medications specifically designed to tackle HIV and no supplement would be able to work the same way it does.

“Do not abandon your medication for supplements and expect to get better.”

Haufiku said most people infected by the virus between 2010 and 2015 are younger than 24 years of age.

“Men are mainly the ones who fear getting tested for the virus and in most cases, they hide behind their women by sending them to get tested instead.”

He said this should come to an end and that each person needs to be tested individually.

The minister called for a change in attitude to help fight the epidemic and urged medical practitioners not to scold young people coming to ask for contraceptives, because once they are intimidated they will never seek and use them, and this could lead to unprotected sex, sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies that result in baby dumping.

“Be patient and never be arrogant with patients, it is the only way they would put their trust in you.”

The eight prefabricated containers were donated by the United States Ambassador to Namibia, Thomas Daughton to the ministry in the Okongo District in June this year to be delivered to various sites.

The Onamihinga, Onghalulu, Oshalumbu, Oshitishiwa, Olukula and Oshifitu communities also benefited from the initiative.

The US government spent N$5.2 million on the fully furnished container clinics to provide ART to patients, as well as free HIV and tuberculosis testing.

NAMPA