MPs discuss witchdoctors and magic creams

WITCHDOCTORS and dubious traditional healers promising to heal all diseases and making poor people rich captured the minds of Members in the National Assembly yesterday and one MP related how a witchdoctor recently told him who had stolen his car.

When Health Minister Richard Kamwi announced he would make a ministerial statement on the Ministry’s position “regarding traditional healers and witchcraft”, he had the undivided attention of the House. The silence was only interrupted by Tsudao Gurirab (CoD), who said: “There are many over there”, pointing at the Swapo benches – mainly occupied by Cabinet Ministers – and earning jovial laughter.Minister Kamwi said in the recent past more and more advertisements surfaced in newspapers placed by witchdoctors and traditional healers promising cures, like “creams for women to tighten their female (private) parts.””My Ministry’s position on these claims is that Namibia is a member of the World Health Organisation and working closely with different role players to tactfully and strategically address and regulate the use of traditional medicine in this country,” Kamwi said.The drafting of a Traditional Medicines Bill was underway, he said.As soon as it became law, the Ministry would standardise the use of traditional medicines in the country.”At present, traditional healers and their practices are not regulated in Namibia, hence my Ministry has little control over the current practices and products used by them.”We recognise the critical role of traditional medicines and practitioners in Namibia, but there is a difference between witchdoctors and traditional healers and our Ministry does not support the use of witchcraft for treating or preventing any health condition.”Witchdoctors are also not recognised within the Namibian health system.”Patients should seek early assistance from recognised health practitioners, Kamwi advised.In the short debate that ensued, Ben Ulenga (CoD) told fellow Members that he had a good session with a witchdoctor, who told him who had stolen his car earlier this year.However, Ulenga would not disclose whether the car was found and the culprits arrested.The silence was only interrupted by Tsudao Gurirab (CoD), who said: “There are many over there”, pointing at the Swapo benches – mainly occupied by Cabinet Ministers – and earning jovial laughter.Minister Kamwi said in the recent past more and more advertisements surfaced in newspapers placed by witchdoctors and traditional healers promising cures, like “creams for women to tighten their female (private) parts.” “My Ministry’s position on these claims is that Namibia is a member of the World Health Organisation and working closely with different role players to tactfully and strategically address and regulate the use of traditional medicine in this country,” Kamwi said.The drafting of a Traditional Medicines Bill was underway, he said.As soon as it became law, the Ministry would standardise the use of traditional medicines in the country.”At present, traditional healers and their practices are not regulated in Namibia, hence my Ministry has little control over the current practices and products used by them.”We recognise the critical role of traditional medicines and practitioners in Namibia, but there is a difference between witchdoctors and traditional healers and our Ministry does not support the use of witchcraft for treating or preventing any health condition.”Witchdoctors are also not recognised within the Namibian health system.”Patients should seek early assistance from recognised health practitioners, Kamwi advised.In the short debate that ensued, Ben Ulenga (CoD) told fellow Members that he had a good session with a witchdoctor, who told him who had stolen his car earlier this year.However, Ulenga would not disclose whether the car was found and the culprits arrested.