Constructing Collaborative Processes between Traditional, Religious, and Biomedical Health Practitioners in Cameroon

Abstract

Collaboration between biomedical doctors, healers, exorcists, priests and prophets has emerged in most African countries as an inevitable of health care. Cameroon remains one of the African countries where no formal collaboration exists. Conducted in Yaoundé (Cameroon), this study aims to examine potential strategies of collaboration and exchange. Individual and group qualitative interviews were conducted. Results indicated that biomedical practitioners and priests expressed reluctance in building reciprocal relationships with traditional healers and prophets. Such reluctance derives from the social, ideological and political order Africans have inherited from colonialism. We suggest appropriate strategies that can be used to overcome resistance and negotiate conflict.