A training tookplace on the Role of Traditional Healers and Bone settlers in improving the Lives of Children with Cerebral Palsy
The University of Gondar, in collaboration with Cerebral Palsy Africa (CPA), has provided a training session in Saturday, May 20, 2023 about the role of traditional healers and bone settlers in improving the lives of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their caregivers.
Having short introduction of the objectives of the training, a focus group discussion was conducted that covered the experience of the traditional healers and bone settlers helping children with CP, their understanding about the cause of CP, cultural and religious beliefs, and the quality of life of parents of children with CP and their status in the community. The participants raised important points such as the significant stigma attached to raising a child with CP, misconceptions held by the community about CP, and the need for psychological support for mothers of children with CP.
After the focus group discussion, the organizer of this training and coordinator of the CPA project, Mr Zelalem Dessalegn,
provided a summary session about CP from modern medicine standpoint by reviewing the characteristics, causes, and treatment modalities of CP.
Following the presentation, a mother of child with CP shared her lived experience to the participants that stressed the burdens of raising a child with CP and the struggle due to stigma in the community.
The traditional healers participated actively by sharing their experience working with children with disability and showed interest to work together to improve the life of children with CP and their caregivers committing to assist in changing community awareness and fighting stigma, to support and understand mothers of children with CP, to work closely with CBR workers in their vicinity and to refer CP cases to Gondar Hospital.
Mr Zelalem appreciated the influential status of traditional healers and bone settlers in the society and the significance of collaboration in enhancing the quality of life of children with CP and their caregivers. The president for the Association of Traditional Healers, Mr. Nega shared the sentiments of Mr Zelalem and stated their association’s willingness to work together with University of Gondar CBR program.
Cerebral Palsy Africa is striving to improve the lives of children with CP and their families by providing technical and financial support to projects that operate in Africa. This training is a part of project supported by CPA focusing on helping children with CP and their families in Gondar.
