'We cursed the cancer. It's dead': Religious satellite TV show 'Miracle Hour' is 'risking lives' by promising cures say charities

During one episode a caller was told to tell relative with cancer 'not to worry about anything'

Religious satellite television programmes made in London that promise viewers cures for life threatening illnesses through prayer have been condemned as 'dangerous' and 'life threatening' by charities.

The charities singled out the Miracle Hour show, broadcast on Faith World TV, for criticism.

During one episode, in which a caller is talking about a relative who has cancer, they are  told "We cursed the cancer. It's dead," and later: "Tell them not to worry about anything."

Francis Kaikumba, of the African Health Policy Network, told the BBC the episode was: “particularly dangerous and puts his life at risk.”

The programme, which airs on Faith TV, is produced by the UK World Evangelical Trust in London, who told the BBC it was now under review.

Debbie Ariyo, head of Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (Afruca), said the broadcast "gives someone who has potential cancer false hope".

Another example cited by charities featured Bishop Simon Iheanacho, who is chairman of Minority Ethnic Christian Affairs (Meca), telling a caller from London that he had cured them of diabetes saying: "I cause diabetes to die in your body. I lose you and declare you set free from the power of diabetes. Thank you heavenly father for this miracle right now over your life in Jesus's name."

The UK World Evangelical Trust told the BBC: "We are now reviewing our new programmes to make sure our standards meet good practice."

Miracle Hour is broadcast on the Sky platform. The broadcaster said: "Any broadcaster with an appropriate Ofcom licence is free to seek distribution over the satellite platform."

An Ofcom spokesman said: "Ofcom has very strict rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm and to prevent religious programmes from exploiting audiences.

"We have already issued a number of tough sanctions to channels in this area and are actively monitoring content to ensure that any breaches are appropriately dealt with."