Marseille 2007
| Abstract #343 - TRADITIONAL HEALERS AND MEDICINE MEN (HERBALISTS) CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PREVENTION, CARE AND TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION AND AIDS IF WELL INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING. | ||||
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Session: 6.40: Posters A (Poster) on Monday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Severine Mallya - ., Tanzania, United Republic Of |
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| Aim: The aim of this abstract is to call for: Recognition (and copyrights for their works). Educational support Financial support Involvement in the decision making in all levels | ||||
| Method / Issue: I conducted an oral interviews to: 18 religious leaders, from four different denominations, from which two have evidently declared to heal the total of 4 HIV/AIDS patients. 21 herbalists (not spirit healers), one of them have declared to `cure` four HIV/AIDS. The first patient to be cured was evidently publicized by different Tanzanian news Medias in the end of 1990s. - Findings and personal experience from East African countries in particular, and some other African countries. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Many countries, if not the world, have not put clear the policy on how these traditional healers and medicine men (herbalists) should be: Recognized Supported in education and Financially Involved in decision making, especially in HIV?AIDS issues There is a conflict between HIV prevention methods (use of condoms) between religious leaders and other stakeholders. | ||||
| Discussion: While many nations and the world in particular have their frameworks to deal with HIV/AIDS, there is a consensus that more need to be done to prioritize traditional healers and herbalists` contribution in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Traditional leaders and medicine men are highly respected in and by their societies Faith based communities are one of the critical constituencies and stakeholders in addressing the gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS. Traditional healers contribute much in the HIV treatment findings Traditional leaders have wider outreach. Religion, is not only part of the moral and organizing influences and spaces in communities on issues of sexuality, but also provides services to PLHA and orphans. | ||||
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