By Nangamso Mabindla
14 October 2004

The role of traditional healers in the fight against HIV/Aids has come under the spotlight during the opening of three-day workshop being held by the Amathole District Municipality.

Traditional medicine could play an important role in the battle to eradicate the disease in the province, the workshop participants were told. "We need their wisdom in this all important fight against this killer," said the district's mayor, Sakhumzi Somyo.

The function, from 13 to 14 October, is being held at the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve in Cintsa some 30 kilometres from East London and is being attended by medical doctors, representatives from the eight municipalities under the ADM, and traditional healers.

The eight ADM municipalities are: Amahlathi, Buffalo City, Great Kei, Mbhashe, Mnquma, Nkonkobe, Nxuba and Ngqushwa.

Somyo added that it was not always necessary to use western medicine - "we need not undermine their role by always using western medicine" - and encouraged the healers to strengthen their association and thereby their influence.

However, Nomsa Dlamini of the national department of health issued a warning against bogus operators. "Traditional healers need to work together to identify these imposters so that the role of real healers is not undermined," Dlamini said.

One issue raised was the need for communities to trust the local traditional healers. A suggestion was that the medicines used retain their original names. "We really do need to refrain from giving our medicines western names. By keeping their original names, locals will identify with them," Dlamini said.

Traditional healer Themba Ndlovu said government recognition was important. "We feel that our expertise is being appreciated by government. We are sure we can make a difference in the fight against this disease," Ndlovu added.