By Mirriam Kaliza
National AIDS Commission (NAC) has warned Malawians against claims of miracle, chemical, or herbal HIV cures circulating online and within communities, saying there is no scientific evidence that any chemical or traditional remedy can cure HIV.
HIV Prevention and Management Officer at NAC, Bertha Sato, says the only proven way to manage HIV at present is through antiretroviral therapy.
She made the remarks in Lilongwe during the HIV cure research orientation meeting for journalists and young advocates.
Sato warned that believing unverified cure claims can lead people to stop taking ARVs, putting their health and others at risk.
While NAC urges caution, scientists say research into HIV cure options is ongoing and offers hope.
However, experts have emphasised that the public must understand what current research is actually aiming to achieve.
According to Pearson M’modzi of the UNC Project Malawi, most ongoing studies focus on a functional cure, which aims to keep people living with HIV virally suppressed, possibly without daily medication, though this is still under investigation.
UNC Project is among the institutions in Malawi participating in global HIV functional cure trials.
M’modzi said some studies may conclude toward the end of next year, but explains that research outcomes take time as data is analysed at a global level.
At the national level, NAC is coordinating all HIV cure and vaccine research in Malawi, alongside advocacy and public communication, to ensure accurate information reaches communities.
Sato noted that Malawi’s involvement in these studies is already progressing, as local research institutions can better interpret findings for the country’s context.
However, she cautioned that clinical trials typically take between five and ten years or longer.
