PRAYER and herbal medicines do not cure HIV, says advocate Temo Sasau.
While sharing his personal experience, Mr Sasau said he was approached by church leaders offering prayers of healing after he was diagnosed with the virus.
“They asked me whether I knew that Jesus could heal me, and I replied that I did,” he said.
“I then had advised them that if they pray and say I’m healed, I’ll go get tested and come back with the result.”
Mr Sasau said the prayers were never shared.
“I wasn’t prayed for.
“That’s where people play around with faith. If I say I’m not healed, they’ll say I don’t have faith.”
Mr Sasau said this mindset was dangerous and was a reason people avoid proper treatment.
“Many turn to prayer or herbal remedies instead of life-saving antiretroviral drugs.”
He said HIV, if left untreated, destroyed the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections.
Without the proper medication, he said the disease progressed quickly.
“The medication strengthens the immune system and suppresses the virus.”
Mr Sasau is currently on treatment and is classified as undetectable, meaning the virus in his body is suppressed to the point that it cannot be transmitted to others.
He is urging community leaders, families and churches to support proper medical treatment and stop promoting unproven cures.
