THE Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
(ZADHR) yesterday criticised Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan
Moyo for “recklessly” insinuating that prolonged intake of anti-retroviral
drugs (ARVs) could cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
In a statement, the association expressed fear that Moyo’s
“reckless” utterances on Twitter could promote stigmatisation and lead some
patients on HIV treatment to discontinue their treatment for fear of the
alleged side effects.
Moyo, who is embroiled in a nasty factional fight with
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, at the weekend insinuated that the
Vice-President’s vomiting at the Zanu PF youth interface rally in Gwanda two
months ago could have been induced by excessive intake of antibiotics or ARVs.
Moyo, in his Twitter remarks, said: “The lot with my TL
with crap about poison and food poison must note that chronic use of
antibiotics or ARVs also induces vomiting and diarrhoea.”
ZADHR said the sharp-tongued minister’s remarks could be
wrongly interpreted as true.
“The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
condemns in the strongest of terms the recent statements allegedly made by Prof
Moyo on his Twitter account,” ZADHR said.
“The message, which in our interpretation was part of his
response to the Zanu PF circus over succession battles, if wrongly interpreted
by the public may lead to defaulting of ART (antiretroviral therapy),
ill-informed fear to be initiated on ART and as a disincentive for HIV
counselling and testing.”
The group added: “ZADHR maintains that as the country
strives to achieve its HIV 90/90/90 targets, such irresponsible, unrestrained
and misinformed assertions on ART that lead to a pervasive fear of ART usage
must be publicly rebuked.
“The minister, whose portfolio spans over the higher and
tertiary institutions including the prestigious College of Health Sciences in
Zimbabwe, is strongly advised to seek information and knowledge from the rich
body of knowledge and research on HIV and Aids before making insensitive
remarks on social media.
“ZADHR also wishes to redirect Prof Moyo, Cabinet ministers
and President Robert Mugabe towards addressing the debilitating drug shortages
in our hospitals and the spiralling economic decline.” Newsday
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