The First Lady Lucy Kibaki has strongly condemned individuals who capitalize on the helplessness of people suffering from HIV/AIDS, to make money.
The First Lady urged the police; the Ministry of Health and National Aids Control Council to ensure those with HIV/AIDS are not discriminated against, abused or exploited.
“As a Kenyan who is deeply concerned about the plight of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, I wish to strongly condemn individuals who capitalize on the helplessness of HIV/AIDS patients in order to make money,” the First Lady said.
She was referring to the recent reports in the media on an evangelical church that is claiming to offer a miracle cure for HIV/AIDS, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of shillings.
Three clinics accused of working with the church, which were also found to be operating without licences, have been shut down.
The First Lady called on the Ministry of Health to move expeditiously to close all unlicensed clinics and prosecute offenders.
She assured that while HIV/AIDS has no definitive cure, anti-retroviral therapy, which can prolong life and enable patients to live normally, is available.
In a statement issued late yesterday, she warned Kenyans not to follow self-proclaimed religious leaders blindly.
“HIV/AIDS patients need all the money they have to purchase drugs and afford the appropriate diet that will enable them to lead normal lives. I encourage HIV/AIDS patients to visit Aids Caring Centres to learn more on how to live a normal life even when infected by the HIV virus,” Mrs. Kibaki said.
She pointed out that the recent ‘conning’ incident should be an eye opener to society to be on guard against those who exploit the sick and poor and those who abuse the trust Kenyans have in the institution of the church.