DON’T DUMP MEDICATION FOR FAITH HEALING’

MBABANE – While faith healing cannot be disputed, religious leaders are of the view that it should go together with treatment.

This was a message sent through by church-based organisations following concerns over faith healing, where some men of the cloth have gone to the extent of advising people to stop taking medication.

The effects of such decisions are detrimental to one’s health and can result in the loss of life.

The engagement between religious leaders, the ministry of Health and Home Affairs was brought about by the rising prominence of ‘miracle’ pastors.

Critical

Most of the church leaders were of the view that even if the viral load was suppressed (for people living with HIV/AIDS), a person should continue taking medication as it was very critical. 

According to the religious leaders, prayer and treatment work hand in hand.

 Furthermore, they insisted on the issue of fasting and medication, stating that Christians who were fasting were also encouraged to take their medication as well. 

“As much as the law of fasting is there, but medication should also be taken.” 

On the issue of quitting lifelong medication, the leaders noted that following the healing, they advised that a person should visit their doctor to confirm whether or not the healing had indeed taken place. 

This is only when a person could stop taking lifelong medication. 

Meanwhile, they noted that some church leaders believed that after praying for the sick, they were automatically healed.

Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi, who was represented by the Director of Health Services, Dr Vusi Magagula, said it was unfortunate that they had in the past, to date, been observing trends by the church that have unfortunately cost the lives of many citizens. Nkosi said church leaders had gone to the extent of advising people on lifelong treatment to stop taking medication because they were healed. She stated that the effects of such decisions were detrimental to one’s health and sadly resulted in the loss of life.

According to Nkosi, the existence of faith healing was not a new thing, however, the ongoing crises had increased their focus on the dangerous and destructive beliefs. Nkosi noted that it was important to understand how faith healing happened and when medication was needed.

Appealing

The minister said as a ministry, they were appealing to congregants to visit healthcare facilities for medical check-ups regularly. 

“As we take care of the soul and spirit, let us ensure that the body is well,” said Nkosi.

She also encouraged the congregants to know their HIV status by testing and following the advice given by health practitioners.

Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Nkululeko Dlamini, who was representing Minister Princess Lindiwe Dlamini, advised church leaders and partners of faith not to be deterred by the ever rising prominence of miracle pastors ,who always show signs of quick healing.

The minister stated that the ‘miracle pastors’ were able to gather masses of followers, yet the people who had been healed became worse and required more assistance for them to get back to full health.

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