Traditional healers root for albinos, elderly

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

27th December 2013

Traditional doctors

The for traditional doctors and birth attendants has vowed to curb the brutal killings of people with albinism and the elderly in the country.

The killings which have continued in the past a few years, are mostly blamed on traditional doctors. It is alleged that the traditional doctors tell their clients to kill either people with albinism or the elderly in order to obtain wealth or be successful.

Speaking at their meeting held here yesterday, the Association said the members have a very big responsibility to ensure that cruel acts committed in the name of helping clients are addressed to allow peace and tranquility to prevail.
The association said some unscrupulous traditional doctors have been fueling evil doings in the society including the killing of people with albinism and the elderly.

“We traditional doctors and birth attendants have an obligation of ensuring peace and tranquility prevails. Most of the cruel acts are engineered by unscrupulous traditional doctors,” said Dr Rashid Tengeza, the association’s chairman.

He said it is high time traditional doctors regulated themselves to make sure that there will be no more allegations of killings linked to them.

Tengeza said the allegations against them are prompted by unscrupulous traditional doctors who are out for quick riches and are not dedicated to truly serving the people.

He called upon all traditional doctors and birth attendants to register themselves with the Association and refrain from being money minded.

The chairman said being a traditional doctor or a birth attendant is more of a calling than a business.

For his part, Association’s General Secretary, Dr Daud Nyaki called on the traditional doctors and birth attendants to join the Association which works for their interests and the general public.

Nyaki said the Association acts as a bridge between the government and the members of the general public who are their clients. “The Association can also help traditional doctors and birth attendants in case of trouble.”

The killing of people with albinism and the elderly were common over the past few years especially in rural areas.

They have however declined following government efforts to address the problem. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN