NASCOP, HENNET warn against faith-healing claims on HIV patients

The National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and the Health NGOs Network (HENNET) have issued a strong warning against public claims suggesting that HIV can be cured through faith-based or other non-medical means.

The organisations cautioned that such assertions are dangerous and risk reversing hard-won gains in the fight against the virus.

In a statement NASCOP reaffirmed that HIV has no cure, but can be effectively managed through lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART).

When taken consistently and correctly, ART allows people living with HIV to live long, healthy and productive lives, while also preventing onward transmission.

“NASCOP wishes to clearly reaffirm that HIV has no cure, but it can be effectively controlled through lifelong antiretroviral therapy,” the statement said.

“When taken correctly, ART enables people living with HIV to live long, healthy, and productive lives and prevents onward transmission.”

The program expressed serious concern over recent claims circulating in public forums that faith-based healing or other unverified approaches can cure HIV.

 According to NASCOP, such messages are false, misleading and pose a direct threat to public health.

“Claims that HIV can be cured through non-medical or unverified means are false, misleading, and dangerous,” NASCOP warned.

“Such claims risk causing individuals to stop or delay treatment, exposing them to serious illness, drug resistance, and preventable death.”

While acknowledging the role of religion and spirituality in society, the health authorities stressed that faith should not be presented as a substitute for evidence-based medical care.

Decisions about starting, adjusting or stopping HIV treatment, NASCOP said, must only be made by qualified healthcare professionals in accredited facilities.

“While faith and spirituality are important sources of hope and support for many Kenyans, they must not replace evidence-based medical care,” the statement said.

NASCOP urged people living with HIV to remain on their prescribed treatment without interruption, continue attending clinic appointments, and seek advice from trained health workers if they have concerns about their care.

The agency also underscored that Kenya’s progress against HIV has been driven by science-led policies, community trust and sustained access to treatment.

“These hard-won gains must be protected,” NASCOP said, adding that it is working closely with the Ministry of Health, county governments and regulatory bodies to address misinformation and safeguard ethical medical practice.

The Health NGOs Network (HENNET) echoed the ministry’s position, saying it “stands firmly with NASCOP Kenya in combating misinformation on HIV.”

In its statement, HENNET reiterated that lifelong ART effectively controls the virus and prevents transmission.

“Faith and spirituality provide vital hope and support, but they must complement, not replace, evidence-based medical treatment,” HENNET said, urging Kenyans to stay on treatment and consult qualified health professionals.

The statements come amid renewed concern that misinformation could undermine treatment adherence, with health officials warning that stopping medication can have fatal consequences.