Concerns Rise in Gombe as Members of HIV/AIDS Network Succumb to Herbal Treatment
Naveed Babar Dar
Web Desk
The Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Gombe State chapter, revealed on Thursday that four of its members have tragically passed away after using herbal medication purportedly for HIV treatment.
Speaking during an event commemorating World AIDS Day 2023, Muhammad Ibrahim, the association’s Programme Officer, expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of resorting to herbal medicine for HIV treatment in the state.
Ibrahim stressed the urgency for government intervention and the involvement of stakeholders to regulate the proliferation of alternative HIV therapies. He highlighted the desperation of HIV-positive patients seeking a cure and the dire consequences of using unverified herbal medicines.
“A lot of our members are subscribing and using herbal medicine. It is based on the information being spread by the hawkers of traditional medicine. These hawkers are everywhere in Gombe,” Ibrahim remarked.
He further noted that these vendors openly claim to have discovered a treatment for HIV, leading many people to purchase the medicines without scientific validation. Ibrahim called upon the government to investigate these claims and take necessary actions to safeguard public health.
“There is no scientific proof that the herbal treatments are real. So we want the government to look into this and do the needful,” Ibrahim emphasized.
He advocated for a stringent process to verify and certify any individual claiming to have found a treatment for HIV before allowing public sales and usage. The call for regulation aims to prevent further loss of lives and ensure the safety and efficacy of HIV treatment options in the region.
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