THO award trained sangomas and nyangas
Traditional healers encouraged to maintain professionalism and to keep confidentiality.
eMBALENHLE – Altogether 16 members of the local Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) received certificates for life skills and service delivery recently.
The traditional healers had a week-long training session during which they were taught about, among others, the symptoms of diseases such as TB and STIs.
Ms Traphinah Mkhonza, chairman, said it is important for traditional healers to comply with the law.
She said they were also taught about their behaviour in the community.
“This is a respected calling and Izinyanga are expected to behave in a certain manner that will impress the ancestors.
“We are to walk and behave in a manner that will produce respect for our ancestors and our calling.
“Our ancestors called to heal the nation, so it is important for us to constantly remind one another of our assignment and ways of making it achievable.
“We also taught them about the importance of hygiene.”
She encouraged the healers that when they are doing ukucaba (cuts for applying muthi) they must use a new razor for each patient to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV.
“We also encourage you that whenever you see that a patient needs medical attention, you will refer them to the clinic.
“The Department of Health is one of our important stakeholders and you must make use of them.”
