The Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) has urged Kenyans living with HIV to continue taking their prescribed antiretroviral medication despite recent public claims that the disease can be cured through faith healing.
In a statement issued following widespread discussions over claims of miraculous HIV cures, KELIN stressed that the debate is "not a question of faith versus medicine, "but one of protecting both constitutional rights and public health.
The organisation acknowledged that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion under Article 32, saying faith remains an important source of hope, comfort and support for many Kenyans.
At the same time, it noted that Article 43 guarantees every person "the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including access to healthcare and accurate information needed to make informed health decisions. These constitutional guarantees are not in conflict. Every Kenyan is entitled to enjoy both the freedom of religion and the right to health."
The organisation warned that public claims of HIV cures could influence treatment decisions among people living with HIV and create uncertainty for patients and their families.
