Patients abandoning ARV for false HIV cure claims – Expert

The Director, Clinical Services, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria  (IHVN) Dr. Ernest Ekong has said that many HIV/AIDS patients were abandoning their Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs because of  false cure claims by  some persons. He disclosed this during a media roundtable organised by the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS) to commemorate this 2017 […]

The Director, Clinical Services, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria  (IHVN) Dr. Ernest Ekong has said that many HIV/AIDS patients were abandoning their Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs because of  false cure claims by  some persons.

He disclosed this during a media roundtable organised by the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS) to commemorate this 2017 HIV Awareness Day in Lagos.

 Ekong said there have been recurrent cases of HIV/AIDS patients abandoning the use of their ARV to chase some trado-medical practitioners and diviners.

The doctor explained that as at today, no one has been able to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.

“There is no perfect vaccine for curing Human Immune Virus (HIV), rather the available prevention options includes male and female condoms, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment of sexually transmitted disease and HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs.