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Article: Traditional `healers' key to AIDS-medication program in South Africa.
- Article from:
- Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL)
- Article date:
- November 20, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Chicago Tribune. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Laurie Goering
MOHLAKENG TOWNSHIP, South Africa _ Maria Mokhoane's treatment room may sport animal bones, powdered herbs and a copy of the Bible, but she also embraces modern medicine. For years the traditional healer has been helping tuberculosis patients in her community stick to taking their pills, and has persuaded the HIV-positive to visit the local hospital.
Now with the government last week launching the world's largest anti-retroviral treatment program for AIDS sufferers, she and a growing number of South Africa's 200,000 traditional healers are poised to play a role in making the program work.
Particularly in rural areas, South ...