The Community of Folks Dwelling with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, NEPWHAN, in Gombe State, mentioned on Thursday that 4 of its members had died because of supposedly utilising natural HIV treatment.
Muhammad Ibrahim, the affiliation’s Programme Officer, revealed this in Gombe throughout an occasion commemorating World AIDS Day 2023.
Ibrahim expressed fear concerning the latest surge within the utilization of natural drugs for HIV therapy within the state.
He emphasised the necessity for the federal government and stakeholders controlling the unfold of different HIV therapies.
In accordance with Ibrahim, many HIV-positive sufferers who’re determined for a remedy are turning to natural medicines. He went on to say that many individuals have died because of taking the flawed drug.
“A variety of our members are subscribing and utilizing natural drugs. It’s primarily based on the data being unfold by the hawkers of conventional drugs. These hawkers are in all places in Gombe.”
“These individuals are overtly promoting and claiming that they’ve found the therapy of HIV. Consequently, lots of our individuals are shopping for the drugs.”
“There is no such thing as a scientific proof that the natural remedies are actual. So we would like the federal government to look into this and do the needful.”
“Anyone that claims to have discovered therapy for HIV needs to be recognized and invited by the federal government to confirm his claims. After which certify it earlier than public gross sales and use,” Ibrahim mentioned.
Well being commissioner
Dr Habu Dahiru, Commissioner for Well being, additionally spoke, saying there was no scientific proof that vegetation might heal the situation.
Dahiru really useful NEPWHAN members and different HIV-positive folks to keep away from utilising natural medicines to remedy the situation. He went on to say that such mixtures are dangerous to important organs.
“We shouldn’t have any scientific proof that natural medicines are working. However anti-retroviral medicine are working and after we do the viral load take a look at, you see it lowering. It’s scientific.”
“Natural medicines have unwanted effects, particularly injury to the liver and kidney.”
“We now have all the time discouraged the usage of a treatment that has not been licensed. To make use of a drug or herb in treating a sure sickness it has to bear numerous levels of take a look at and certification earlier than approval.”
“We now have not heard of any herb that has been licensed for HIV therapy,” he mentioned.
As well as, Dahiru acknowledged that the state has made important progress in reducing the sickness burden.
Moreover, he acknowledged that the state examined and medicated 95% of suspected sufferers. He went on to say that 95% of people who had been placed on treatment had viral suppression.
“This can be a good feat for the state,” he mentioned. He added that the state would keep the feat, enhance testing and encourage the usage of ART amongst optimistic individuals.
Recall that World AIDS Day is commemorated on December 1, and the theme for this yr is “Let communities lead”.