The Civil Society Forum (CSF) of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has noted with concern claims by KwaZulu-Natal pastor, HQ Nala, who says he can cure HIV, TB and cancer using “faith water”. The forum has called on Nala to immediately withdraw his claim since they are likely to have adverse consequences for people living with HIV. This is of particular concern in KwaZulu-Natal, the province with the highest HIV prevalence in South Africa where Nala is disseminating these claims.
All 18 sector leaders within the CSF have strongly condemned such unverified claims. We are concerned that they could mislead the general public and influence them to stop accessing proven and tested prescribed treatment, care and support for HIV, TB and cancer. South Africa has approximately 6.4 million people living with HIV and 530,000 new TB cases per year, of whom 65% are HIV-positive.
The government of South Africa supports the biggest antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme in the world with more than two million people on treatment. ART has been scientifically proven to improve the quality and prolong the lives of people living with HIV.
The forum openly calls on all faith-based and other organisations to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims such as this.