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Collaboration with African traditional healers for the prevention of blindness

Collaboration with African traditional healers for the prevention of blindness

Traditional healers are plentiful and culturally accepted health care providers throughout Africa and much of the developing world. Findings from existing collaborative programmes suggest that healers can be a positive force for community-based prevention of blindness.

Section 1 of this booklet gives brief background information on traditional healers and explains why they should be involved in prevention of blindness activities. Section 2 gives specific recommendations for working with healers and may serve as a training manual.

Authors: Courtright P et al.

Publisher: World Scientific.

Published: 2000.

View resource: PDF (105 Kb); Full text


View resource in parts:

  • Preface: PDF (10Kb)
  • Section 1: PDF (20Kb)
  • Section 2:PDF (40Kb)
  • Appendix A. Statement of Consensus and Recommendations on the Need for Collaboration Between African Traditional Healers and Biomedical Eye Care Workers in Eye Care:PDF (15Kb)
  • Appendix B. International Symposium on Collaboration with Traditional Healers for the Prevention of Blindness in Africa – Participants: PDF (15Kb)
  • Appendix C. Bibliography: PDF (15Kb)
  • Appendix D. Should Traditional Healers Be Encouraged To Use Western Eye Medicines? PDF (10Kb)
  • Appendix E. Methods For Determining Prevailing Traditional Eye Practices By Healers: PDF (10Kb)
  • Appendix F. Evaluation methods: PDF (10Kb)
  • Appendix G. Research priorities: PDF (10Kb)
  • Appendix H. Illustrations on trachoma and cataract:PDF (20Kb)