SARTHO resumes workshops

SEKHUKHUNE – The South African Religious and Traditional Healers Organization (SARTHO) has confirmed the resumption of its traditional healthcare workshops in partnership with the Department of Health around Sekhukhune district.

Regina Mankge, SARTHO Secretary, said the decision to resume with the workshops was taken after the announcement of lockdown alert level 1 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, allowing public gatherings of larger numbers of people in one space.

Mankge thanked their members and their students for strict adherence to lockdown regulations and informed that the workshops would be held as scheduled the SARTHO in respective communities.

She added that the dates and venues of the workshops would be communicated through healthcare promoters and coordinators.

“The purpose of the workshops is to educate our members on the importance of understanding that certain illnesses or medical conditions require the expertise of professional medical practitioners or basic primary care provided by the Department of Health. That is the reason the workshops will be facilitated and conducted in partnership with the department,” said Mankge.

SARTHO Limpopo provincial administrator, Jeffry Walker, said the body has learned about some traditional healers instructing patients not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Walker sent a stern warning to those traditional healers and that their actions were considered to be in violation of the state laws and ought to be reported to authorities.

“This is one of the reasons that as ARTHO we feel that all members must attend the workshops to learn about conditions that must be referred to basic primary care givers, clinics or hospitals,” said Walker.

Anyone who needs more information about the workshops is requested to contact 079 708 3511/ 076 631 2317 or visit their health care promoters.