How ‘Miracle Cure’ for AIDS has become a big business in Nigeria

For Nigeria, being religious could be a good tool you need to be prosperous but claiming the miraculous power to cure the HIV/AIDS is among the best means of getting rich.

This claim has become a cornerstone for many religious and traditional medical centres in the country. Many of these "acclaimed" healers take to social media channels to advertise their new found solution for the disease that has killed hundreds of millions and continues to plague Africa.

The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) ,a popular charismatic church in the country has gained international acclaim for the ability of its founder and leader, T.B Joshua to gain international fame.

“Divine healing is the supernatural power of God bringing health to the human flesh. Thousands who come oppressed with sickness and disease receive their healing at the SCOAN ... Truly, there is never a sickness Jesus cannot heal.”

Trado-medical practitioners are also cashing in and taking advantage of the desperation of others to line their pockets.

The recent story of Blessing, a Nigerian carrier of the HIV virus, towards getting a cure for the disease exposed the vulnerability of many to these claims.

She told the AFP that after seeing an advert on Facebook that promised "a cure for AIDS", she followed through and was promised that a plant-based potion would completely eradicate the disease. The amount required was N100,000 ($280 or €230).

"He talked only about money, so I gave up. But I was ready to try,” said Blessing. She, however, claimed that: "There are so many people giving positive testimonies about the drug.”

Looking at the number of people living with the virus in Nigeria and the associated stigma, the carriers are ready to try all means possible to get rid of the disease.

Mr Emmanuel Ugochukwu Michael, a Nigerian running a match-making agency for people with HIV, explained that claiming a cure for HIV virus is a huge business in the country. He further attests to the fact many religious healers have constantly sought to get access to the company’s 7,000-name database.

"I receive a lot of calls from traditional doctors and mainly from pastors," he said.

"They invite me to a dinner and promise to pay me money if I provide them phone numbers of my clients. There's huge money to be made and everybody wants to take advantage of it."

The Original story was published by Agence France-Presse (AFP).