A Nigerian doctor has expressed outrage over an HIV patient whose health took a severe turn after being advised by their pastor to stop medical treatment in favor of prayer. The doctor, identified as @olawalesmd on X (formerly Twitter), vented his frustration after learning the patient had quit their antiretroviral therapy (ARV), a decision influenced by a church testimony claiming divine healing.
The patient had initially made significant progress while undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ARV), with viral load tests showing undetectable levels of the virus. However, after hearing a testimony in church about a "healing," the patient decided to stop the ARVs based on the pastor's recommendation. Unfortunately, this decision led to a relapse, and the HIV progressed into full-blown AIDS.
The doctor’s post read: “You were diagnosed with HIV. You started ARV. Your viral load started dropping until tests became negative. You gave testimony in church that you were healed, then Pastor said you should stop using ARVs. HIV returned this time with AIDS. You, your Pastor, all of you are mad.”
This alarming incident has sparked debates on social media about the risks of discontinuing medical treatment for spiritual or religious reasons. It has emphasized the importance of public health education, particularly for individuals living with chronic conditions like HIV, in ensuring that they continue their prescribed treatments while also seeking spiritual support when appropriate. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of mixing faith and medical advice without proper understanding of the situation.