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USBAH brings together the healing perspectives around HIV and TB
The Unit for Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS and Health (USBAH), in conjunction with the Tshwane Traditional and Faith Healers' Forum (TTFHF), hosted a full-day seminar this week entitled "African healing challenges: bringing together the healing perspectives around HIV and TB". More than 80 participants attended the seminar
In his opening address, Prof MS Makhanya, Unisa's Pro-Vice-Chancellor, indicated that the seminar was an important step in addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the university community and society. He also stressed that the institution and executive management should take the outcomes of the seminar further.
  
Mr Roets of USBAH explained the purpose of the seminar as the first stepping stone in establishing an advocacy platform to integrate the different African traditional and faith healing perspectives on HIV and TB. He also mentioned that USBAH would like to play a strategic role in bringing interested parties together for this purpose.
Prof David Dickinson from the Wits Business School shared his experiences in working with peer educators and traditional healers, while Ms Sewduth, a qualified social worker and USBAH graduate, explained how she has used reiki among people living with HIV and other chronic diseases. Both Dr Gilbert Martin and Dr Kenny Swakamisa from TTFHF shared their experiences as traditional practitioners and stressed that everyone should lobby for the establishment of a National Traditional and Faith Council to recognise traditional healing as a profession. Dr Bernhard Gaede, Chief Medical Officer at Immaus Hospital, spoke about his community project where he works with traditional healers in KwaZulu-Natal and how they collaborate with medical doctors to provide the best health care service to people living with HIV and TB. This was echoed by Dr Vuyelwa Vatsha, a medical doctor, who invited traditional healers to work with medical doctors in a two-way referral system.
Some of the outcomes of the seminar include joint advocacy and lobbying initiatives, further capacity development for the traditional healers, research opportunities, and academic engagement between Unisa and traditional healers.
The feedback from the participants was very positive. They expressed the need for a follow-up seminar on this topic. For more information, please contact the Unit on 012 352 4105/012 429 6975. | 
