[afro-nets] Back to the Roots to Fight Diseases

[Anke Weisheit <anke.weisheit@web.de>]

Back to the Roots to Fight Diseases - Integrate Alternative
Methods
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Dear Readers,

Before the European medicine, called allopathic, was practiced
and widespread in the world, there where indigenous ways of
health care provision.

When we talk about health support for economical weak countries
there is solely mentioned the support of the western health sys-
tem.

I would like that the supporting countries also assist in the
improvement and the integration of traditional/indigenous health
care methods in the general well being of the population.

For example, a simple topical skin infection may not need an an-
tibiotic ointment and could be treated with herbal alcoholic 40-
70% (sterile trough the extraction fluid) tincture made locally.

The pharmacist who is sitting in the empty pharmacy (in Nov.
2005 a government District Hospital Skin Clinic had only sali-
cylic acid ointment 2.5% in stock nothing like the basic medi-
cine (Anti Fungal and Antibiotics... nor antibiotic capsules and
plain Vaseline where the pharmacist could mix at least an emer-
gency ointment).

THE PHARMACY WAS EMPTY!

This is a tropical country where these ailments are relatively
common. The patient hat only ONE CHOICE... to purchase the re-
quired medicine from private owned pharmacies.

This is the reality but I hope and work on that the alternative
medicine receive more support as it does now. (Medicine is sup-
plied free of charge in government hospitals and dispensaries).

Best regards,

Anke Weisheit
PhD Student
Faculty of Development Studies
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
PO Box 1410
Mbarara, Uganda
Tel: +256-778-88096
Fax: +256-485-20782
mailto:ankeweisheit@web.de