Zinatha sets up clinics

ZIMBABWE National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha)’s state-of-the-art traditional medical clinic in Harare will open its doors to the public later this month, it has been established.

This was revealed during the association’s 36th anniversary.

A training college is also set to be opened in Harare next month.

Zinatha’s clinic has several treating rooms.

Practitioners at the clinic will be focusing on their areas of expertise.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail Religion on the sidelines of the event, Zinatha president Mr George Kandiero said the institution is currently running a diminutive clinic in Hatfield.

“The overwhelming response we are getting in Hatfield prompted us to establish a much bigger clinic that will treat several ailments, it will open its doors to the public next month,” Mr Kandiero said.

However, he said they will not be admitting patients at the medical facility due to unspecified reasons.

Mr Kandiero said Zinatha has adopted a two-year plan ending 2018 which is aimed at changing the face of traditional medicine.

“The college will not only focus on traditional curriculum, it will also train our existing members to be professional in handling clients.

“We are trying to get rid of the misconception about traditional healers, the medicine and the like.

“We are thriving to give our profession (traditional medicine) a new face and to that end, we have many programs lined up,” he said.

The Zinatha president called upon churches to treat traditional healers with respect and dignity.

“These days people have a myriad of social problems, not just medical ones. The very same people who go to those huge churches are the same people visiting us seeking help.

“This only means that people are after answers. They are after salvation and prosperity and it’s just a matter of time before we and the so-called righteous men of God find common ground. Basically, we are doing the same job through different angles,” Mr Kandiero said.

He lamented over what he termed ‘intense castigation’ from other sectors of the society, including Christians.

“It is not good to shun each other, we have to work together. To be honest, there are things that we are good at and they (churches) have things that they cannot do.

“It is not just hospitals that need to have a referral system, churches also need to do likewise. There are spiritual problems within their congregations, these are better solved by our practitioners and they have to acknowledge this at one point or the other,” said Mr Kandiero.

“Society’s leaders must talk good about traditional medicine. We have to face reality, we are all Zimbabweans.

‘‘We all marry the traditional way — paying lobola, most of us takagadzirwa nhova, that is traditional, let’s not shun our tradition.

“Many people consult traditional healers, from politicians, business people to Christian leaders.

‘‘We want those prominent leaders who believe in traditional medicine to came out and support what we do.

“While countries such as China have embraced traditional medicines and are exporting them, some Zimbabweans still treat their own medicine with suspicion,” he said.

“It is high time Zimbabweans embrace traditional medicine as it is bearing positive results. A number of people are openly testifying that they are getting help from traditional healers, that is commendable,” he said

“Our main disadvantage has been that the people who consult us are normally shy to give testimonies. However, through education, people are now realising that there is nothing wrong or evil in consulting traditional healers,” he said.

Mr Kandiero said Zinatha has more than 50 000 practitioners countrywide and on average, five people consult each practitioner daily, an indication that several Zimbabweans believe in traditional medicine.

Zinatha was established in July 1980 and is currently a member of the World Council of Churches.