Africa-Press – Botswana. Traditional healers are esteemed individuals within the community, utilizing cultural and holistic methodologies to support the well-being of community members. Their accessibility plays a crucial role as a bridge to enhance the quality of care through community-based practices.
Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, expressed the significance of traditional healers during the official launch of the Botswana Traditional Health Practitioners Association (Leobo La Dingaka) in Palapye.
This association, registered in July 2022, has garnered attention from various organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizing the incorporation of traditional medicine within national health systems with appropriate regulations.
Reflecting on the Alma Ata Conference of 1978, Mr Tsogwane highlighted how the adoption of Primary Health Care (PHC) as a strategy by countries like Botswana underscored the importance of recognising cultural beliefs and values for a successful and dynamic primary health care approach.
Acknowledging traditional healers as primary points of contact for health care seekers, Mr Tsogwane emphasised their strategic positioning and influence in promoting positive health-seeking behaviors within communities. The government’s efforts, through the Ministry of Health, have furthered the revitalisation of PHC to address current global health challenges.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the significance of community-based approaches in safeguarding public health.
Recognising this, the establishment of the Leobo la Dingaka association marks a pivotal moment in fortifying a resilient health care system deeply rooted in community engagement.
Quoting the UNAIDS 2023 report, Mr Tsogwane highlighted Botswana’s successful HIV programs, attributing achievements to collaborative efforts with health facilities. These efforts have led to remarkable milestones such as the 95-95-95 achievements, positioning Botswana as a model for evidence-based policies and effective responses in combating HIV and AIDS.
While progress has been made, global challenges persist, as highlighted by UNAIDS reporting a life lost to AIDS every minute in 2022 and significant gaps in access to treatment, especially among children living with HIV.
Collective action and continued collaborations are essential to address these challenges on a broader scale.
Mr Tsogwane additionally emphasised that in the Botswana context, Leobo La Dingaka could play a significant role in tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), often known as lifestyle diseases. He mentioned that faith leaders could have a positive impact by encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activities. Mr Tsogwane highlighted Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) as another emerging pandemic, underscoring the importance of involving the faith sector in addressing this issue.
AMR directly results in over 1.3 million deaths and contributes to another 3.7 million deaths globally. He noted that more people die from AMR than from HIV/AIDS, Malaria, or any single form of cancer besides lung cancer.
“The advocacy of faith leaders for the responsible use of medicines has become increasingly crucial, he said.
Mr Tsogwane observed a growing global interest in traditional medicine and acknowledged that numerous herbs traditionally used in African medicine have influenced contemporary drug research. This led to partnerships between Botswana Faith Based Organisations Network on HIV/AIDS (BOFABONETHA), Leobo La Dingaka, and Research Xcellas to establish a center of excellence for traditional medicine research in Botswana.
This initiative, he said was pivotal in promoting good health-seeking behavior. For his part. Mr. Malema Malema, Chairperson of the Botswana Traditional Practitioners Association, recognized the government’s support and highlighted the purpose of launching traditional healers into the public eye to enhance collaboration with modern medical practices.
During the launch, the United States Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Howard Van Vranken, emphasised the enduring partnership with traditional leaders since the onset of the HIV pandemic, underscoring their significant influence and contributions to public health.
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