ENHANCING THE RELEVANCE OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN CANCER MANAGEMENT: EVIDENCE FOR COLLABORATION IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Abstract

Traditional healers provide client-centered, personalized health care that is culturally appropriate, holistic and tailored to meet the needs and expectations of the patient. Considering the vitality and benevolent nature of traditional healers, they are yet to be fully recognized by western biomedical practioners for effective collaboration. This qualitative study aimed to assess cancer patients and traditional healers’ conception of cancer, its cause(s), treatment effectiveness, as well as their opinion about collaboration between western medical practioners and traditional healers as part of overall health care system. The study employs indepth interview method. Thirty-nine (39) people participated in the study, 13 traditional healers, 9 western medical practioners and 16 cancer patients who had seen both traditional healers and western medical practioners.. The audio taped recorded responses thematically analyzed. This study revealed four roles traditional healers play in cancer treatment - medicinal healer, emotional comforter, spiritual guide, and palliative caregiver. Emotional and spiritual roles may augment the effectiveness of medical treatment. Cancer awareness and education programs need to position traditional healers as complementary, rather than an alternative to Western medical treatment. Validating the roles Traditional Healers can play in cancer treatment there is need for a closer collaboration between healers and western physicians to enhance better care for cancer patients. This has implication for policy makers who will facilitate the relationship in order to control cancer care and improve the quality of care of cancer patients in Nigeria.