Editor,

Recently, there has been a marked increase in reports of patients seeking the services of traditional healers.

In the Eastern Province’s districts of Kirehe, Ngoma and Rwamagana, the number of such "doctors” is high. They claim to treat almost all types of ailments. Gullible residents seeking answers to their problems are running to them. 

One significant case in Rwamagana involved a child purportedly treated at a traditional healer’s facility but died a few days upon reaching Rwamagana hospital. This was similar to another patient who was admitted in critical condition after spending days with a traditional healer.

Historically, traditional medicine was popular before the advent of civilisation.

But century’s later, traditional "doctors” still claim to cure many diseases.

One wonders whether the prominence of traditional healers is because they work effectively compared to conventional medical practitioners. Well, how does one distinguish between genuine healers and quacks?

Yves Tumusime
Kirehe