Oliver Samboko to news ed
Concern, one/last.
11/07/12, Kalomo zambia- THE Kalomo district Aids task force (KDATF) has expressed concern over some religious sects and traditional healers in the area that are reported to be discouraging people on anti- retroviral drugs (ARVs) from taking their drugs and instead claiming their clients would be healed through spiritual powers .
DATF chairperson, Joseph Kaluwe said his committee has off late engaged the traditional healers and some churches to educate them of the dangers and implications of their activities over the fight against the number one killer disease in the sub-Sahara Africa.
And government has also reiterated that it will not give a kid glove against people and organisations slowing down its efforts in combating the HIV and AIDS pandemic and it effects on the people.
Kalomo district commissioner Omar Munsanje reiterated government’s stance recently when he officiated at this year’s commemoration of world voluntary counselling and testing day at Siachitema Mission in chief Siachitema of the Tonga people.
Munsanje said government was spending huge sums of money on ARVs drugs acquisition and would not sit idle seeing some certain quarters of society to sway people from taking the life prolonging drugs for them to effectively contribute to national development.
He said that government was aware that some clergy men and traditional healers were misleading people on anti - retroviral drugs by claiming that they can eliminate the HIV virus through prayers and concoctions made from soda, vinegar and salt while other advise of taking either crocodile or python fat.
Recently, the Network of Zambian People living with Hiv and Aids (NZP+) Kalomo chapter, held a workshop to sensitise traditional leaders and some members of religious sects that are alleged to be behind discouraging people living with HIV from taking ARVs and chapter coordinator, Juliet Sakala said the sensitasation workshop has yielded fruitful results from concerned stakeholders
os/klm/ends.
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