Abogogo trained in simple biomedical procedures

Twenty-nine traditional health practitioners - or aBogogo as they are commonly referred to - were trained at the Vaal University of Technology by the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Traditional Knowledge, hosting Dihlare Remedy; where research is undertaken to authenticate traditional medicines and ultimately produce them for consumption.

The traditional health practitioners were trained in Simple Biomedical Procedures so that they can conduct urine tests, take blood pressure, perform first aid and other basic, but necessary, tests for their patients.

"The traditional practitioners work with people from the community and this knowledge is essential for them before recommending medicine/umuti to patients," said Dr Tozama Qwebani- Ogunleye: Project Manager.

For ten of the participants, training was a bit challenging. Besides being illiterate, some of them are partially deaf or short-sighted and others suffer from arthritis which made holding pens difficult. This group had difficulties understanding how to read the modern equipment such as the BP, pulse and respiration monitors.

"We struggled with the training, but as a team that was dedicated to improving the skills of the traditional health practitioners we had to offer our best. We are thankful that at the end of training all the practitioners were awarded with certificates of competency," said clinician Bernice Matsoso.

With these new skills the practitioners are better equipped to perform primary health care procedures that can assist people in the community and to prevent complications early to refer to medical practitioners.

This is the first cycle training of 2017. Dihlare is hoping to train a total of 300 traditional practitioners in the next two years.