The role of traditional healers and Primary Health Care in South Africa

Abstract

There has been a growing realisation of the importance of traditional medicine all over the world. Transformation and change in the health services in South Africa has highlighted the need to review the relationship between primary health care and traditional medicine. Up to 80% of African patients in South Africa consult a traditional healer before going to a primary health care practitioner and traditional birth attendants deliver about 60% of all babies born.