30/05/2026
On the 29th of May 2026, the Traditional Healers Organization was honoured to participate in the Traditional Health Practitioners Engagement Day: Bridging Traditions for Blood Health, hosted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto by Campaigning for Cancer in partnership with CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa and supported by the National Department of Health (South Africa).
The engagement brought together THPs, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, and government representatives to explore how traditional and biomedical healthcare systems can work together to improve outcomes for children and families affected by blood-related conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and haemophilia.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in robust discussions on traditional philosophies of health and illness, patient safety, quality of care, referral pathways, caregiver support, and the role of THPs in strengthening community health. A key focus of the discussions was how to build trust, improve collaboration, and ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care while respecting cultural beliefs and indigenous knowledge systems.
For THO, this engagement was particularly significant. It demonstrated a growing recognition that THPs remain an important part of the healthcare landscape and that meaningful solutions require all stakeholders to have a seat at the table. As practitioners who often serve as the first point of contact within communities, we believe there is great value in strengthening cooperation between traditional and conventional healthcare systems for the benefit of patients and their families.
We commend Campaign4Cancer, CHOC, the National Department of Health, and all stakeholders involved for creating this important platform for dialogue. We look forward to continued engagements that promote ethical practice, patient safety, mutual respect, and improved health outcomes for our communities.