The association of traditional healers, commonly known as Aga Rwanda Network, has resolved to involve the youth in their activities, as a measure to reinvigorate the industry, which is dominated by the elderly.

Addressing the group’s members on Monday, Daniel Gafaranga, the president of the association, said by the end of the year, they target to have brought at least 300 youths on board.

"Our members are mostly from the old generation and use traditional practices. To revitalise this industry, we want to involve the youth so that they can even bring modern practices to traditional healing,” he said.

According to Gafaranga, they will target youth who have completed secondary school with a bias in science disciplines like biology and chemistry.

"The youth keep saying there are no jobs, this is an opportunity, especially now that we want to create a link between the youth and elders so that what elders know in traditional medicine can be passed on to the youth,” he added.

The association’s members are accredited by the Ministry of Health.

During the meeting, the herbalists committed to registering all traditional healers in the country, establishing 300 traditional health centres, and training 1,000 herbalists.

Gafaranga said the biggest challenge they face is little or no knowledge in ICT among the members, which limits their research capabilities.

"Up to now, we have no ICT facilities like computers. There is no easy way for members to share knowledge and skills. We wish the Ministry of Health could help us get computers,” he said.

Emmanuel Kalisa, a representive of traditional healers in Musanze District, cited lack of a laboratory to test standards of the traditional medicine they prescribe among the challenges.

Cone Musabyimana, representing traditional healers in Nyamagabe District, said some local authorities do not recognise them.

"Sometimes we are not allowed to operate officially, the ministry should issue official licences to our members,” Musabyimana said.

Florence Umubano, the in-charge of traditional medicine at the Ministry of Health, said solutions to some of the raised concerns have been provided.

"There is a letter that every authorised traditional healer is given and this allows you to operate freely in the district after reporting to the district health officer,” Umubano said.

Concerning laboratories to test traditional medicine, she said negotiations will be carried out between the ministry and the Institute of Technological and Scientific Research to see how the healers’ regimen can be routinely tested.

Currently, Aga Rwanda Network operates in all the 30 districts but the exact number of traditional healers in the country is not known.

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