Alternative therapy gains mileage across Kenya

Alternative medicine has evoked spirited debate on its role within medicine, especially because there are poor health guidelines in the country.

Although there are no statistics indicating how many Kenyans resort to alternative medicine, it has definitely gained acceptance in the country.

World Health Organisation statistics show that 3.5 billion people use traditional medicine globally and in Africa about 85 per cent of the population resorts to this option.

But now another concept of alternative medicine is taking root in Kenya. While many associate alternative medicine to herbal treatment, other diverse terms are finding a footing in Kenya such as naturopathy, chiropractice, meditation, yoga, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture, and diet-based therapies.

“Most people turn to this oriental medicine (industry lingo for alternative medicine) due to desperation especially when they feel conventional medicine has failed to meet their needs,” says Dr Cleopa Mailu, the chief executive at Nairobi Hospital.

In his view most of these patients suffer from chronic disease. Medical experts say alternative medicine can be used to compliment modern means of treatment.

It is also generally assumed that people turn to alternative and complimentary medicine because it is more affordable than conventional medical care.

However, several studies carried out by Disease Control Priorities Projects, a division of the World Bank Group, have found that complimentary medicine approaches can cost the same or more than conventional treatments for the same conditions; thus people seek them out for reasons other than cost.

“ Studies in Kenya and Zimbabwe showed that the cost of a traditional healer was greater than the charge at a health facility—in Zimbabwe, the cost was Z$23 per visit for a herbalist, compared to Z$1 to visit a government clinic,” said the study.

At the Abha Light College of Natural Medicine, consultation and treatment ranges between Sh 300-600 for villagers and Sh500-3000 for urban dwellers.

Didi Ruchira, the director, told Business Daily Homoeopathic medicine is based on the concept that symptoms exhibited by the body can be used to fend off illness when the associated substances are neutralised.

Homoepaths use highly diluted medicine believed to have no toxicity and side effects to the body. “We restore the mind and body to balance so that it is able to cure itself.

Once the immune system is right, the body can heal itself,” said Ms Ruchira. Homeopathy is said to have the capacity to cure acute and chronic diseases.

Acupuncture costs are pegged on the diagnosis, but consultation for instance at Aculaser Institute starts at Sh1500. The ancient Chinese therapy relies on the uses of needles on body pressure points to unblock and redirect energy which causes a balance that enables the body to heal.

However, Disease Control Priorities Projects also notes one study in Peru found that complementary medicine was 53 per cent to 63 per cent less expensive than conventional medicine for achieving equivalent levels of effectiveness, and was especially cost-effective for osteoarthritis.

A yoga instructor, Oriaen Asahtanga told Business Daily a 90 minute session costs between Sh500-700 during which a person can realign the body posture. It is also recommended for people with stress.

Scepticism
While alternative medicine elicits a lot of scepticism, some of the techniques used are basic knowledge such as massages to induce relaxation and ease tension in the muscles.

Good nutrition is encouraged to bolster immunity and aid the body in self-defence.

“We need to attempt to understand the importance of oriental medicine since it has a role to play in our society. It has also worked where it is practised,” said Dr Mailu of Nairobi Hospital.