| Chad adopted a multi-sectorial approach to HIV/AIDS prevention around 2007, which mentioned the involvement of traditional healers as partners to prevent and manage this fatal disease. However, there are still no concrete signs of formal legal recognition and validation of traditional medicine and traditional healers in the country. Also, Chad has limited national healthcare system and poor healthcare governance to meet the health needs of its more than 210,000 HIV/AIDS infected persons nationwide.;International recommendations (WHO, 1978, UNAIDS, 2006; AU, 2005) require developing nations to involve traditional medicine into their primary healthcare systems and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Two major cities (N'djamena and Moundou) in Chad with higher HIV seroprevalence rates (7-10%) were selected for the purpose of this study. Interviews were conducted with 17 selected healers (11 men and 6 women) affiliated with two associations who reportedly had contacts with infected persons and some were specialized in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, opportunistic diseases and other related illnesses in Chad.;Findings suggest that 82% of participants were knowledgeable of basic HIV/AIDS symptoms. Thirteen (13) out of the 17 participants reported to successfully treat and cure people infected with HIV/AIDS. However, they differed in their diagnostic and treatment approaches, as well as validation procedures of cured/healed HIV/AIDS patients. Results also show that participants lacked prevention training and education. Some participants indicated the possible existence of traditional cures for HIV/AIDS. They recognized barriers in collaborating with medical professionals; but most of them showed some eagerness to work with medical professionals in hospitals to treat patients. |
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