SOGOC synergizes with Tradi practitioners to curb maternal mortality

By Martial Gnoukapasir

L-R Dr Takang, Prof Robert Leke and Dr Pisoh

The role traditional healers can play in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Cameroon has been detailed to herbalists practicing in the North West part of the country.

This follows a one day workshop organized by the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon - SOGOC, under the first phase of the Advocacy for comprehensive Abortion Care project - ACAC.

During the workshop chaired by Prof emeritus Robert Leke-president of SOGOC, unsanctioned and unsafe abortion was identified as one of the major drivers of maternal mortality with most of the practice conducted by traditional doctor's under unhygienic and very uncertain conditions.

The traditional healers were reminded that Abortion which can only be conducted by well trained medical personnels within certain prescriptions of the law has always been a matter of life and death, and must steer clear of it.

Dr Isidore of Isidore's Modern Herbal Holistic Clinic

They were encouraged to always do referrals or direct those who come to them for abortion to competent hospitals.

Some of the tradi practitioners in attendance like Dr Isidore of Isidore's modern Holistic Herbal Clinic, Dr Mofor etc lauded the initiative and indicated that the subject matter remains a taboo in their line of practice.

They however hold a view that the reason why they (traditional healers) are confronted with such cases most often or are considered first choice by women, girls and men who indulge in this unlawful practice is sometimes because of the unreceptive nature of some of the health personnels in the health units and hospitals across the country.

TDr Mofor

Dr Takang and Pisoh, all of the Gynaecological unit of the hospital in attendance reminded that traditional healers that the way forward is to build a strong alliance between the two sectors with same objective of providing sound health to members of the community.

They established that traditional healers are closer to family set ups and are better placed to advice members of the community on the dangers of abortion, and do referrals to the competent hospitals when they're confronted with such cases.

With the general goal to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, the project manager Rita Yenjong also explained that the advocacy program for safe Abortion within the Cameroon context was also motivated by the fact that most women and girls eligible and not eligible, go to either drug stores and tradi - practitioners and not the hospitals in such cases.

Rita Yenjong, project manager

The Advocacy for comprehensive Abortion Care(ACAC) project according to her, seeks to remove the barriers that prevents health expert from providing timely comprehensive Abortion Care for eligible cases.