KELIN has noted the recent public discussions arising from claims relating to the cure of HIV through faith healing.
KELIN recognises and respects that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 guarantees every person the freedom of conscience, religion, belief and opinion under Article 32. Faith and spirituality continue to play an important role in the lives of many Kenyans, providing hope, comfort and support to individuals, families and communities facing illness.
At the same time, the Constitution guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health under Article 43(1)(a). This right includes access to healthcare and to information that enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health. These constitutional guarantees are not in conflict. Every Kenyan is entitled to enjoy both the freedom of religion and the right to health.
For people living with HIV, access to treatment is not only a medical issue but also a matter of dignity, equality and the enjoyment of fundamental rights. Kenya has made significant progress in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, reducing HIV-related illness and deaths, and enabling people living with HIV to lead long, healthy and productive lives. These gains have been achieved through sustained public investment, scientific advancement, community leadership and respect for human rights.
The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2006 affirms the rights of people living with HIV to access healthcare, to be treated with dignity and to be protected from discrimination. These protections are strengthened when individuals are able to make health decisions based on accurate, reliable and evidence-informed information.
KELIN is concerned that public claims relating to cures for HIV may influence treatment decisions or create uncertainty among people living with HIV and their families. Given the serious implications for individual and public health, such claims should be communicated responsibly and with due regard to their potential impact.
We encourage all people living with HIV to continue taking their prescribed treatment and to consult qualified healthcare providers before making any decision to interrupt or discontinue medication. Interruptions in treatment can have serious consequences for individual health and may undermine the significant progress Kenya has made in responding to HIV.
We also call upon all persons occupying positions of public trust – including religious leaders, healthcare professionals, lawyers, public officials and the media – to exercise care when making public statements on matters relating to health. With public influence comes public responsibility. Statements that may affect health-seeking behaviour should be made responsibly and with due regard to the rights, dignity and wellbeing of those who may rely upon them.
This is not a question of faith versus medicine, nor is it a question of limiting anyone’s constitutional right to worship. Rather, it is about ensuring that every person is able to exercise both the freedom of religion and the right to health in a manner that protects life, dignity and informed decision-making.
Kenya’s response to HIV has demonstrated the important role that faith communities, civil society, healthcare providers and government institutions can play when they work together. Those partnerships remain essential and should continue to be guided by respect for human dignity, constitutional values and evidence-informed public health practice.
KELIN remains committed to advancing health justice, protecting the rights of people living with HIV and promoting a constitutional order in which both freedom of religion and the right to health are respected and upheld.
KELIN will engage relevant stakeholders, including organisations representing people living with HIV, faith leaders, professional bodies and government institutions, to promote dialogue on responsible public communication, constitutional rights and the protection of public health.
