Sangomas: Problem or Solution for South Africa's Health Care System

Overview

Journal J Natl Med Assoc

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2009 Apr 1

PMID 19331259

Citations 6

Authors

Cynthia T Cook

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We discuss the problems associated with legalizing traditional healers--Sangomas--for the South African health care system and their role in the management and treatment of HIV/AIDS and the resistance of professional medical organizations to recognize their contribution. We list some of the diseases and conditions that can be diagnosed and/or treated by traditional healers and the efficacy of the treatment. We conclude with the problem of Sangomas identifying witches within a community and how this may affect their legitimacy.

Citing Articles

Contemporary Cultural Trade of Lion Body Parts.

Coals P, Mbongwa N, Naude V, Williams V Animals (Basel). 2022; 12(22).

PMID: 36428396 PMC: 9686618. DOI: 10.3390/ani12223169.

Characterizing Herbal Medicine Use for Noncommunicable Diseases in Urban South Africa.

Hughes G, Aboyade O, Beauclair R, Mbamalu O, Puoane T Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015:736074.

PMID: 26557865 PMC: 4629029. DOI: 10.1155/2015/736074.

Concurrent use of traditional medicine and ART: Perspectives of patients, providers and traditional healers in Durban, South Africa.

Appelbaum Belisle H, Hennink M, Ordonez C, John S, Ngubane-Joye E, Hampton J Glob Public Health. 2014; 10(1):71-87.

PMID: 25346069 PMC: 4262581. DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2014.967709.

Trends and challenges of traditional medicine in Africa.

Abdullahi A Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2012; 8(5 Suppl):115-23.

PMID: 22754064 PMC: 3252714. DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.5.

Pharmacogenomic Research in South Africa: Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities in the Rainbow Nation.

Warnich L, Drogemoller B, Pepper M, Dandara C, Wright G Curr Pharmacogenomics Person Med. 2012; 9(3):191-207.

PMID: 22563365 PMC: 3228231. DOI: 10.2174/187569211796957575.