The Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Gombe State chapter, revealed on Thursday that four of its members met untimely deaths after purportedly resorting to herbal HIV medication. The disclosure, made during an event commemorating World AIDS Day 2023, sheds light on the escalating use of alternative therapies, raising alarms about the need for regulatory measures.
Muhammad Ibrahim, the association’s Program Officer, expressed deep concern over the surge in the use of herbal medicine for HIV treatment in Gombe State. He emphasized the urgency for governmental and stakeholder intervention to curb the proliferation of unverified treatments.
Desperation for a cure has driven many HIV-positive individuals to explore herbal remedies, leading to fatal consequences due to the consumption of inadequately tested drugs, Ibrahim cautioned. He called for stringent measures, urging the government to verify and certify any claims of HIV treatment before public dissemination.
Dr. Habu Dahiru, the Commissioner for Health, echoed the sentiment, stressing the absence of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of herbal medicines in treating HIV. He warned against their usage, citing potential damage to vital organs and underscoring the importance of certified treatments.
Despite the alarming trend, NEPWHAN members and other HIV-positive individuals continue to be enticed by hawkers of traditional medicine, who openly claim to have discovered HIV treatments. The absence of scientific backing for these claims raises questions about the safety and efficacy of such remedies.
Dahiru reassured the public of the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs, emphasizing their proven track record through viral load tests. He urged individuals to steer clear of uncertified remedies and underscored the potential harm associated with herbal alternatives.
As Gombe State grapples with these challenges, health officials and advocates are determined to maintain their progress in reducing the burden of HIV. The World AIDS Day commemoration adds a poignant backdrop to these concerns, highlighting the theme “Let communities lead” and emphasizing the importance of evidence-based approaches in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
