Koketso Maraba
 
The integration of western and traditional medicine approaches can help provide comprehensive equitable healthcare and offer patients a vast range of treatment options.
This was said at this week's engagement with Kgosi Kgolo Lehasa II, primary healthcare providers, traditional health practitioners, and homeopathic doctors as the country observes African Traditional Medicine Week.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of  the African population use traditional medicine for their basic health needs, especially in remote areas where health services are not easily accessible. 
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said that government understands that most people rely on traditional medicine for basic health needs and is committed to working closely with key role players in the sector to organise and support traditional health practitioners in various ways such as education and training programmes.
"It is therefore imperative to recognise the important work being done by traditional health practitioners for the health and well-being of communities," said the MEC. 
In light, of MEC's words, the traditional health practitioners were trained by the Lebone College of Emergency Care (LCOEC) to enhance their role as first responders to commonly encountered emergencies such as trauma, accidents, and suicide incidents while awaiting emergency response teams. 
The MEC acknowledged the traditional healers by saying that their role of traditional health practitioners as first responders is often underplayed yet we know that many people consult with you before they visit our health facilities.
"You are an important part of the healthcare system and should play a greater role as part of heightened vigilance and agile surveillance systems as we continue to confront the various health challenges confronting us today," said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko. 
Traditional Health Practitioner, Prof Sefadi Mohami said "Our initiation schools only focus on spiritual aspects of training, forgetting that we can and will have emergencies in our surgeries that don't require spiritual intervention. Right now, I have taken the first responder training so that I can confidently say that I can respond to medical emergencies, not only at my practice but within my community.
"We are now equipped to handle emergencies without doubting our capabilities as African Medicine Practitioners". 
In addition to the first responder training, 45 other traditional health practitioners from the Bote Botsebo Traditional Healers Training Centre graduated from the three months basic screening training programme. 
The traditional health practitioners committed themselves to learning about important health issues such as HIV/AIDS, TB, diabetes, and other common diseases affecting communities. This demonstrated their willingness to ensure better health outcomes for people who use their services. 
"Traditional health practitioners have a critical role to play in the healthcare system. I believe the training you have completed has equipped you with the necessary knowledge to ensure that communities are well-informed about several diseases," explained MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.