AN organization comprising of faith healers practicing traditional medicine was launched on Thursday with its main aim being to contribute to the Zimbabwe’s National Health Strategy through promotion of proper use of traditional medicines.
By Kuda Pembere
Officiating the launch of the International Medical Missionary Africa Society (IMMAS), the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro encouraged traditional medical practitioners to preserve human lives.
As this kind of missionary work falls under the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the event therefore is a constant reminder of the need to preserve, safe guard, protect and respect human lives, healthful living, religious and Christian values which always promote smooth facilitation and implementation of our National Traditional Medical Practitioners Council carrying out its noble mandate from 1981 to date,” he said.
He emphasized on the need for traditional medical practitioners to refer cases which they cannot handle to the conventional medical professionals. Dr Mangwiro also commended IMMAS for their Treatment Action Support initiative for the promotion of all Traditional Medical Practitioners to undergo a National Foundational Certificate in Traditional Medicine as any entry requirement to Traditional Medical Practice.
“We are gathered today to celebrate the birth of all good works as a result of this religious medical missionary organisation in partnership with a Public entity – Traditional Medical Practitioners Council. It is now brought to my attention that this partnership has established a Treatment; Action Support and Initiative which will bring sanity to the traditional Medical Practice Community as we all agree and are guided that physicians are accountable for human lives, human’s health, happiness, wellness, welfare and all that it takes for a person to survive.
“On this note please be guided that the law requires all practitioners to be licensed before assigned to practice and to have some relevant knowledge in dealing with human anatomical related tasks, clinical theories and patient assessment skills for proper and accurate prescription of our Traditional Medicine and all supplements,” he said.
IMMAS Director Dr Zakeyo Chirume said the Society comprising of religious groupings which specialize in the use of natural herbs has a footprint which expands across several African countries.
“International Medical Missionary Africa Society (IMMAS) Director Dr Zakeyo Chirume a religious based practicing medical missionary with particular emphasis on the use of natural herbs and other traditional medicines as well as other therapeutic activities such as counselling and psychotherapy as well as sports medicine. We are a specialists in traditional medicine as well as other programs like geriatric care management,” he said.
He explained that the TAS covers facets such as education, prevention and infection control as well as pandemic response.
“As traditional medical practitioners, we need to respond quickly and positively when it comes to pandemics. TAS is a big program which includes the mobilizing of medication to the less privileged working alongside with the Government through the Ministry of Health. TAS has many programs to mold traditional medical practitioners. We see a traditional medical practice as a comprehensive profession as the practitioners are involved in counselling, nursing, as well as being the pastor for the patient. TAS will guide the perfection, training and development of the programs as well as the development of the practitioners,” Dr Chirume said.
IMMAS will in September be providing free geriatric care services for war veterans.
“TAS will also be looking into the management of geriatric care. In Zimbabwe, due to economic hardships caused by climate change and other illegal sanctions, people are finding it hard especially in the remotest parts of Zimbabwe.
“So very soon, we are going to launch a program in September which will manage free healthcare service for all our war veterans who are now classified as geriatrics. Some have psychological issues associated with aging.
“So we are going to be managing a free healthcare service delivery for all our geriatrics including the war vets. We also want to establish a clinic in every province to serve all our geriatrics for free treatment. The clinic will be followed by a systematic free follow up service provision by care service providers giving home based care,” Dr Chirume said.
