The intersection of traditional healing practices and the Western health care system

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges traditional healing practitioners face in contemporary society due to the conflict with Western healthcare systems. In African countries, traditional healing does not get the same recognition as Western healthcare and biomedicine, while a large number of indigenous people across the globe rely on traditional healing. The research presented in this article was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between 2013 and 2021. The study employed a qualitative method for data collection, in the form of individual interviews, focus groups, and participant observation, to ensure data validity. The key finding of the study is that the traditional healing system is not adequately recognised in South Africa, whereas most people in the country rely on traditional healing. The article demonstrates that traditional healing plays a significant role in the healthcare system, evident during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The article further highlights the challenges traditional healing systems face and how they are overcome by drawing on indigenous knowledge systems and ancestral wisdom. It further recommends equal recognition of this healthcare system and suggests collaboration and monitoring of this sector, as is the case with the Western healthcare system.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article emphasises the importance of indigenous knowledge, promoting responsible practices, and addressing regulatory frameworks to bring change in traditional healing. The goal is to achieve a balanced approach that respects both the indigenous knowledge healthcare system and modern healthcare systems.