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SWAZILAND: Prominent traditional leader condemns AIDS drugs

Swaziland's AIDS control programme received a set back this month in the shape of a prominent traditional healer who has condemned the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

"Why do we spend money on something which does not cure the disease but makes the situation worse?" Nhlavana Maseko, president of the Traditional Healer Organisation (THO), asked at an AIDS rally in the eastern
provincial capital, Siteki.

Maseko criticised the rollout of ARVs, which were introduced in earnest
this year, because of the unpleasant side effects of some of the drugs.
Swaziland has the world's highest HIV prevalence rate at close to 40
percent of the adult population.

"The money should be used in finding the cure for the disease involving
both traditional healers and medical doctors," Maseko said at the rally,
hosted by the Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action Against
AIDS at the Local Level.

ARVs are not a cure for AIDS, but they suppress the virus and can extend
people's lives.

"Many different people need to be educated. ARVs are new to the country,
but we are very sure that they work," Sibusiso Dlamini, coordinator for
care and support for the National Emergency Response Committee on
HIV/AIDS, told IRIN.

The committee distributes money from government, private groups, and the
Geneva-based Global Fund to local NGOs involved in AIDS-related
programmes.

"Many workshops have been conducted by the ministry of health for
traditional healers. But in terms of ARVs, there haven't been many. We see
using Global Fund money next year to train them - traditional healers and
everyone else," said Dlamini.

Other health officials have accused Maseko of campaigning for a cabinet
post after he called for the creation of a ministry solely devoted to
traditional healers.

"This is the same person who condemned condoms to prevent the spread of
HIV when the virus was just setting foot in the country in the late '80s.
Having contributed to the spread of HIV, he is now disparaging the ARV
rollout that can prolong the lives of people living with HIV," a health
ministry source said.

Many Swazis respect and rely on traditional medicine and healers in what
has remained a highly conservative society.

More information:

[This Item may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. Copyright (©) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2004]
www.irinnews.org

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