[afro-nets] Back to the Roots to Fight Diseases (4)

[Bertha T. A. Maegga <maeggabta@africaonline.co.tz>]

Back to the Roots to Fight Diseases (4)
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Dear Anke,

I agree with you entirely, on working our modes of integrating
conventional western, traditional and alternative health care
methods in Africa. We all know that, in the majority of rural
communities, traditional indigenous methods are the main options
available, regardless of their quality, since the government
supported western oriented health care service is totally inade-
quate. By not exploiting the full potential of integrating what-
ever is available at community level, we miss the chance of im-
proving on both and thereby fail to make tangible improvements
on the health of the majority of the rural consumers, where the
official health care services are inadequate.

There are many conditions for which traditional methods, espe-
cially herbal treatment has provided the required cure or im-
provement beyond doubt. With integration, appropriate research
could be done to encourage wider use and be integrated into the
normal health care system. As things are now, individual only
seek such remedies when all else fails and sometimes when it is
too late.

There is also a need to collate information on traditional / in-
digenous methods so that this is not lost to future generations.
Where plant or other natural resources are used, better knowl-
edge could lead to more concerted environmental conservation so
that the plant species of medicinal value shouldn't be exploited
to extinction.

Let's support the traditional / indigenous methods and not rele-
gate them to the back seat of rural communities alone.

Bertha T. A. Maegga
Tanzania
mailto:maeggabta@africaonline.co.tz