Huambo: The chairman of the Chamber of Traditional and Natural Medicine Therapists of Huambo Province, Adelino Sandambongo, on Tuesday called for the involvement of traditional leaders in reporting false therapists in communities who are harming the health of citizens. According to Angola Press News Agency, Adelino Sandambongo, after visiting some natural and traditional medicine centers in the peripheral neighborhoods and outskirts of Huambo city, stated that there are therapists who, in the pursuit of easy profit, insist on deceiving citizens by claiming to know how to cure various diseases. He urged that all therapists working without proper documentation should be reported to the defense and security forces, otherwise, this problem will continue to harm the health of the population in the communities. Adelino Sandambongo further emphasized that the organization he leads is collaborating with the government and the National Police to legalize natural therapists. This initiative aims to prevent fake prof essionals from exploiting innocent citizens by falsely claiming healing capabilities. The organization is also committed to training traditional therapists, especially in mastering the application of natural medicine dosages, to ensure they do not inadvertently harm or intoxicate patients. The chairman noted that some natural and traditional medicine health centers were closed, in partnership with the National Police, due to lacking hygienic conditions for patient care, although he did not specify the number of closures. Natural therapist Luciano Caetano, practicing since 2012, mentioned that the primary healing issues he addresses are 'witchcraft spells' and thrombosis, with treatments involving plants lasting from one to three months. He revealed that he underwent five years of unconventional training in the municipality of Bailundo and is currently working on legalizing his practice center with support from the chamber and traditional authorities. Pedro Pakissi, another therapist, stated that natural me dicine has been beneficial alongside conventional medicine for diseases such as typhoid fever, cysts, tubal stenosis, endometriosis, and cellular degeneration. The Chamber of Traditional and Natural Medicine Therapists of Huambo province supervises 4,350 professionals practicing in this region of the country.
