BBC film crews recently descended on rural Mtubatuba to film a programme exploring the link between traditional and biomedical medicines.
The filming was for one of BBC World’s services, The Evidence, and hosted by the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) based in Somkhele.
In The Evidence, BBC radio presenter Claudia Hammond joins scientists and experts to explore the effect science has on the world around us.
Filming of the episode was done in two parts and took the film crew to the home of traditional health practitioner, Mr Ximba, in Nkombose Village and AHRI’s Somkhele research campus.
PHOTO: AHRI
Sangomas, faith healers, inyangas, medical doctors, local government representatives, members of the community and AHRI scientists were both on the panel and in the audience.
Members of the audience were given the opportunity to ask the panel questions about the topic under investigation.
There was robust discussion between different audience members and the panel about the role of traditional health practitioners and their relationship with doctors and nurses in the uMkhanyakude District.
They also discussed how this could be better facilitated with mutual understanding and collaboration.
‘There was great interaction between members of the community, doctors and traditional healers, that demonstrated that, through dialogue, a lot could be achieved in improving human health,’ said AHRI’s Professor Nceba Gqaleni.
The Evidence is an annual event and radio series and is a collaboration between BBC World Service and Wellcome Collection, a museum and library in London run by the medical research charity Wellcome Trust.
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