'Miracle cures' in Haufiku's sights
Health minister Bernard Haufiku has announced that his ministry will push for a ban on the advertising of medical and health-related products, especially those advertised by pastors that offer so-called miracle cures.
Haufiku made the announcement during a recent visit to the north, saying this will include the advertising of church services, unregulated life-support medication and fast food and drinks.
He said some of these products were aimed at destroying people's bodies while emptying their pockets.
Haufiku urged people to always listen to professional medical practitioners and eat indigenous food and drinks, rather than fast foods.
He said some of these products claim they can solve social issues, such as unemployment woes, relationship and marriage problems and many more.
“I would like to give you advice because you rely on the media for information. People, we are being played in our psyche; there are people who are always advertising products claiming that they cure a variety of sicknesses and social problems, or there are also churches, mostly led by foreign pastors, and they are also claiming to be curing every sickness or every social problem. What kind of medicines and churches are these?” Haufiku asked.
“These are people making money and they are not caring about your lives. They have money and can afford to buy advertisement packages in the media to promote their products, but this does not necessarily mean they are helpful.”
Haufiku said this is just the same as fast-food providers and soft-drink manufacturers advertising products that destroy people bodies.
“Just like Coca-Cola will promote their products all the way, KFC will promote their products all the way and McDonalds is also doing the same.
“These are not necessarily nice foods that build your body, but make money for the owners of the businesses, and this is exactly the same as churches and unregulated medical products providers.
“We are going to regulate them and we are going to stop the advertisement of any medical or health-related products, especially on the national broadcaster. Listen to your professional healthcare providers and eat healthy food,” Haufiku added.
ILENI NANDJATO
Haufiku made the announcement during a recent visit to the north, saying this will include the advertising of church services, unregulated life-support medication and fast food and drinks.
He said some of these products were aimed at destroying people's bodies while emptying their pockets.
Haufiku urged people to always listen to professional medical practitioners and eat indigenous food and drinks, rather than fast foods.
He said some of these products claim they can solve social issues, such as unemployment woes, relationship and marriage problems and many more.
“I would like to give you advice because you rely on the media for information. People, we are being played in our psyche; there are people who are always advertising products claiming that they cure a variety of sicknesses and social problems, or there are also churches, mostly led by foreign pastors, and they are also claiming to be curing every sickness or every social problem. What kind of medicines and churches are these?” Haufiku asked.
“These are people making money and they are not caring about your lives. They have money and can afford to buy advertisement packages in the media to promote their products, but this does not necessarily mean they are helpful.”
Haufiku said this is just the same as fast-food providers and soft-drink manufacturers advertising products that destroy people bodies.
“Just like Coca-Cola will promote their products all the way, KFC will promote their products all the way and McDonalds is also doing the same.
“These are not necessarily nice foods that build your body, but make money for the owners of the businesses, and this is exactly the same as churches and unregulated medical products providers.
“We are going to regulate them and we are going to stop the advertisement of any medical or health-related products, especially on the national broadcaster. Listen to your professional healthcare providers and eat healthy food,” Haufiku added.
ILENI NANDJATO
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