The department of health joins hands with traditional healers
The mayor acknowledges and accepts traditional healers
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDH) hosted an African traditional medicine celebration in Diepkloof Community Hall on July 14, a build-up event ahead of the national celebration of the integration of Traditional Healers (TH) with the GDH.
The mayor of Johannesburg Parks Tau came to the celebration and thanked the traditional healers for agreeing to be part of the health department, he said the strengthening of the relationship between the TH and the GDH makes a big difference.
Tau said, “I acknowledge the relationship and we accept the TH, our making them meet the national developmental requirements means we want to work together and progress.”
The department holds workshops that teach and empower the TH so they know exactly how to deal with patients to avoid conflicts and complications.
Rose Diale from the GDH said the combination is aimed at doing away with illness and allowing the TH to practice transparency to the health department so we can work hand in hand.
Diale said, “The first level of care for humans is clinic visits, but most people believe in going to the TH, so we are incorporating them into the department so we can be able to even keep track of the health of the patients who visit them instead of us.”
Traditional healer Alpheus Mbembe was one of the guests in the celebration, he said traditional healers have desired this opportunity for a long time and he is happy.
Mbembe said, “Traditional healers are celebrating being finally accepted by the department, this will make our society welcome us and stop their condescension towards us because we really can heal people.”
The Emergency Management Services joined the celebration to teach the community about fire safety and first aid.
“It’s quite good because doctors and TH have always had a conflict, now they can work together and bring a positive change to the people, I’m glad,” said Moeketsi Morwa a Diepkloof resident.
