Rationale and willingness of traditional health practitioners to collaborate with Allopathic doctors in the eThekwini Metro of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Compared to rest of the world, there are more of diseases in Africa which are due to shortcomings like poverty, shortage in food, improper health care and unable to reach the Western medicines/treatment.  Nearly 80% of the South African population rely on Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) for their primary health care needs. In 2000, the WHO Regional Committee for Africa adopted Resolution AF/RC50/R3 on Promoting the Role of TM in Health Systems:  A Strategy for the African Region. In South Africa the Traditional Health Practitioners’ Act of 2007 was passed to regulate practitioners. The purpose of the study was to determine willingness of traditional health practitioners to collaborate and integrate into National Health Care System (NHCS) in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.  A cross sectional survey was conducted in the eThekwini Metropolitan Health District and surrounding areas of KZN, South Africa with a sample of 171 THPs using semi- structured interviews.  The mean age of THPs were between the age group of 46 to 55 years. Majority 97 (56.7 %) were males, and almost 59 (34.5 %) THPs had formal education. Seventy-six percent (130/171) THPs reported willingness to collaborate with allopathic medical practitioners.  Majority THPs 83.6 % (143/171) thought that western medical practitioners and THPs could work together.  The 81.3 % (139/171) perceived that collaboration between allopathic medical practitioners and THPs was beneficial for patients.  Total 87.1 % (149/171) THPs indicated a willingness to learn allopathic medicine.  The willingness of THPs to collaborate with allopathic medical practitioners and learn allopathic medicine with allopathic medical practitioners has positive suggestions in the eThekwini Metropolitan Health District and surrounding areas of KZN, South Africa.