KAMPALA – The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has cautioned the public against giving credence to reports claiming that a person diagnosed with HIV can be miraculously healed solely through prayer.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was revealed in a statement issued via the Commission’s official social media handles, which reiterated that despite medical advances, no scientifically validated cure for HIV is available for routine clinical use.
Acknowledging the vital role of religious leaders in providing hope and support, the Commission has emphasized that such assertions must not be presented as verified medical facts without rigorous scientific investigation.
The Commission underscored that HIV is effectively managed through Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which suppresses the virus, protects the immune system, and allows individuals living with HIV to live long, healthy, and productive lives.
The statement highlighted the critical concept of “Undetectable equals Untransmittable” (U=U), noting that individuals who adhere to their ART regimen and achieve a sustained undetectable viral load do not sexually transmit the virus.
However, UAC was careful to draw a distinct line between viral suppression and a cure, stressing that a negative test result following a prior positive diagnosis cannot be determined through testimony, physical appearance, or prayer experience alone.
The Commission maintains that claims of HIV cure require rigorous verification through Uganda’s nationally approved testing algorithm, conducted by qualified health professionals.
The scrutiny involves a detailed review of the original diagnosis, prior test results, treatment records, and additional laboratory investigations to rule out errors.
“A negative result following an earlier positive diagnosis requires careful investigation of the original diagnosis,” the statement reads.
The Commission has since cautioned persons diagnosed with HIV to continue taking ART as prescribed, warning against halting treatment on the advice of religious leaders, family members, or others not responsible for their clinical care.
Meanwhile, the risks of interrupting treatment are severe, including viral rebound, weakened immunity, increased risk of illness, higher transmission rates, and the development of drug resistance.
The Commission further charged the public to avoid stigmatizing or exposing those linked to the disease, emphasizing that protecting their dignity while sharing accurate health information is a shared responsibility.
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