eMbalenhle healers seek cooperation from nurses and doctors
Traditional Healers Organisation says some diseases have a spiritual connection that need a spiritual approach for the patient to be healed.
eMBALENHLE – Members of the local Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) are demanding that doctors and nurses refrain from calling them “witches” when they are treating patients.
They were speaking at a workshop about teenage pregnancy that was organised by Mindset Network at the Sasol Club on Wednesday, 13 August.
The region of Gert Sibande is said to have a high rate of teenage pregnancies.
“We cannot hide from the fact that there are certain diseases that Western doctors cannot treat, but traditional healers can and vice versa,” said one healer.
The healers called for cooperation between traditional healers and medical practitioners.
They said some diseases have a spiritual connection that need a spiritual approach for the patient to be healed.
THO said it is not necessary for traditional healers and medical practitioners to fight over patients.
The members said traditional healers play a big role in Africa and want medical authorities to create access to hospitals and clinics where they can be called in when their help is needed.
Ms Tryphina Mkhonza, local chairman of the THO, said they do refer patients to clinics and hospitals, but the problem is that doctors and nurses do not report back about the patients’ progress.
Mr Motlatsi Lekhuleni, project manager of the Mindset Network, said another workshop will be held with parents and medical practitioners to get their input on how to end teenage pregnancies, as well as dealing with the issues raised by the traditional healers.
