April 18, 2016
Rongoa use kept hidden
A Health Research Council-funded study has found many Maori visit both rongoa Maori healers and conventional doctors, but often won’t tell one they’ve visited the other.
Postdoctoral researcher Dr Glenis Mark from Whakauae Research Services says Maori are keen for traditional healers and doctors to work together on managing their health.
But they doubt doctors would be open to such an arrangement, and fear criticism or ridicule if they admit using healers.
Dr Mark says Maori are more likely to opt for rongoa if their illness is more psycho social or spiritual, but they will do to their doctor for a directly medical issue, such as a broken leg.
She says the doctors who do work with traditional healers often come from South Africa where they are trained to work with traditional healers.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com