Dr Maleke Machingwane opens counselling and rehabilitation centre

TAFELKOP – Counselling and rehabilitation centre focusing on using African traditional medicine was recently opened at Tafelkop Village. The centre was officially opened by Doctor Maleke Machingwane with the aim to fight substance abuse in the Tafelkop community. Machingwane, a Traditional Health Practitioner (THP) graduate saw a need to open Kgomo’a Batho THP Counselling and Rehabilitation Centre, as a result of a number of young people who turn to drugs and alcohol abuse. According to Traditional Dr Machingwane, the centre will provide fully fledged traditional health practice counselling service and rehabilitation for drug addicts (nyaope), alcohol and distraught patients who need an African traditional medicine and ancestral intervention to their health problems. “The aim is to promote and develop interest in traditional health practice by encouraging research, education, training and counselling. We will also promote contact between the various fields of training within traditional health practices in the country and set standards for such training, practices and counseling services,” said Machingwane. He added they will be ensuring that traditional health practice complies with universally accepted health care norms and values. Machingwane is a graduate of Doctor Conrad Tsiane who is also a special advisor to Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on African traditional medicine. From as far back as 2006 Doctor Maleke Machingwane was the chairperson of Elias Motsoaledi Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) Council while his mentor Dr Conrad Tsiane was the Sekhukhune District’s Chairperson. “It is our duty as the centre and the entire THP sector to protect and serve the interests of the members of the public who use or are affected by the services of traditional health practitioners. As well as promoting public health awareness and ensure the quality of health services within the traditional health practices,” concluded Dr Machingwane.