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Mixed reactions to ruling on traditional healers
The Standard (Zimbabwe)
September 10, 2006

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/viewinfo.cfm?linkid=11&id=4752

RECENT developments allowing licensed traditional healers to grant official off days to people under their care have received mixed reactions among employers, most of whom are sceptical, The Standard has found.

The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare a fortnight ago said it gave the traditional healers authority to grant official off days after the enactment of the Traditional Medical Practitioners’ Act and the formation of the Traditional Healers’ Councils.

But Dr Paul Chimedza, the President of Zimbabwe Medical Association, said there is need for wider debate and consultation before the traditional healers are given the authority to give off days.

"While we have respect for traditional medicine we see a lot of challenges in the implementation of this whole thing. Issues such as who qualifies to be a traditional healer needs all stakeholders to come together and map a way to deal with that," Chimedza said.

Callisto Jokonya, the President of Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries said: "As business we go by the law. The Labour Act governs us and I am not really sure if the authority given to them (traditional healers) is in the Labour Act. If at all it is not then we do not see any reason to abide by the directive."

However, Professor Gordon Chavhunduka, the President of Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers’ Association said the latest development was not new, and members of his association have always had the powers.

"We have been having problems with some employers who have always resisted our recommendations. But for the sake of them not being duped by dubious people we urge them to approach our office for a register of licensed traditional healers."

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the development was welcome in the face of skyrocketing medical fees.

Wellington Chibebe, the secretary general of ZCTU, said: "We have had members fired for consulting traditional healers because they cannot afford to see a conventional doctor. This is welcome provided it is backed by a legal instrument."

But some business people are finding it hard to weigh the impact of the directive by the Ministry of Health as indicated by president of the Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe, Johnson Manyakara, who switched off the phone when The Standard contacted him.

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