The fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa has always been a major challenge due to stigma and the reluctance of individuals to get tested. However, an innovative solution has emerged to overcome this dilemma: the use of traditional healers.
At the heart of this groundbreaking initiative is Shadrack Mashabane, a traditional healer in the small town of Buskbuckridge, Mpumalanga province. In his home decorated with traditional fabrics and bottles of medicinal plants, a white box containing an HIV screening kit stands out.
Mashabane is part of a pilot study led by the University of the Witwatersrand, which aims to encourage more South Africans, particularly young people, to get tested and seek medical attention if necessary. He was trained to carry out HIV tests and provide advice to raise awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and preventing the spread of the disease.
This approach, which involves the participation of traditional healers in a major public health program, constitutes a significant step forward in the fight against HIV in South Africa. However, Mashabane points out that his patients initially found it difficult to believe that he was offering HIV testing, a service usually associated with health clinics.
He had to show them his certificate to prove his qualification to perform these tests. The process includes signing a consent form for testing, followed by support to ensure that HIV-positive patients receive treatment at the local clinic.
Indeed, going to the clinic after a positive screening poses a problem for many patients, especially among men. Stigma surrounding HIV testing and treatment remains high in many communities, who also fear a lack of confidentiality in health facilities.
Faced with these concerns, many people prefer to consult traditional healers, considered the first resort for health in rural areas. Therefore, this innovative approach aims to change mentalities and promote access to HIV testing.
Florence Khoza, another traditional healer trained in HIV testing, points out that risky sexual behavior is common and often distributes traditional herbs to treat gonorrhea. She now also encourages her patients to get tested for HIV.
Initially skeptical, Khoza now finds great professional satisfaction in this new role. She is fully involved in monitoring HIV-positive patients to ensure that they follow their treatment correctly and can lead fulfilling lives..
The program plans to expand its scope this year by training at least 325 additional healers to become certified HIV counselors. University researchers will compare HIV testing rates to determine whether more people prefer to be tested by traditional healers rather than at clinics.
This approach to integrating traditional healers into HIV testing and treatment programs could ultimately help stop new HIV cases in areas such as rural Mpumalanga. The ultimate goal is to encourage the South African government to expand this program nationally, hoping to have a significant impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
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