Lourens JC Erasmus
University of Limpopo, South Africa
Title: African traditional medicine practices: Diabetes care from a resource-limited perspective
Biography
Biography: Lourens JC Erasmus
Abstract
Healthcare in Africa remains a challenging entity, especially concerning the management of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (DM). This disorder, that affects almost all body systems, has shown a steady increase in developed and developing countries. However, indications are that more than 80% of diabetes-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. It is furthermore estimated that the number of people worldwide with DM is likely to more than double by 2030. If appropriate interventions are not implemented by this time it is projected that DM will be the 7th leading cause of death. Healthcare providers such as traditional healers (TH) can play a pivotal role in the care of diabetic patients in resource-limited settings. In Africa, socio-demographic and cultural constraints within a predominantly pluralistic approach to disease management emphasizes the social status and importance of TH; in tight-knit rural communities these individuals are perfectly suited to provide healthcare. This is based on the presumption that they have background knowledge of patients in their care that healthcare practitioners in cities and towns are unlikely to ever acquire. Research findings, throughout Africa, indicate that most TH have a clear understanding of this disorder as well as the various remedies that can be employed in its management. Therefore, the role and status of traditional medicine practices should be considered as an important resource in preventative measures aimed at reducing diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.