Traditional Healers, Herbalists Want Role In Early HIV Detection

Traditional healers and herbalists have asked the National AIDS Council (NAC) to give them HIV rapid test kits. They say this will help find HIV cases earlier and make it easier to refer patients to clinics and hospitals.

They made the request at the 2026 NAC and Traditional Medical Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (TMPCZ) National Sensitisation Workshop held in Macheke last week.

The three-day meeting brought together traditional healers from all 10 provinces. They discussed how to work together to fight HIV, TB and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, in line with the country’s health goals.

Bridget Simango, a traditional healer from Gweru in Midlands Province, said patients often ignore advice to go for HIV tests at a clinic when she only tells them to go.

“We use traditional medicine to heal people, but we sometimes face challenges when patients come with HIV and AIDS symptoms while insisting they have been bewitched,” she said.

“We are requesting that NAC provide us with testing kits so we can test patients on the spot.

“It is often difficult to convince patients verbally to go to the hospital. As traditional healers, we want to play a complementary role.

“We can address the spiritual aspect first, and then refer them to the hospital once we have a clear result.”

Betty Gwatidzo, a healer from Rusape, urged fellow practitioners to drop the “know-it-all” attitude, saying delayed referrals often result in preventable deaths.

“There is no one who has 100 per cent capacity to heal all diseases. It is wise to refer patients to the hospital if it is not within your capacity.

“We hope NAC and the Government will listen to our calls for testing kits because it does not look good when a patient succumbs while in your care, when you could have directed them to the hospital.”

Emmanuel Chadira, also known as Sekuru Shumba from Gokwe, condemned practitioners who illegally detain critically ill patients.

“Diseases such as HIV we cannot heal, but we can help to manage and reduce symptoms. We encourage our patients to go to the clinic because it is beyond our scope,” he said.

“We condemn the practice by some fellow healers who act as ‘jack of all trades’ and keep patients in their houses until they die. Make referrals if you cannot manage the condition.”

More: The Herald