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Ancient Cures for
Modern Times �
Working alongside doctors
and other health care providers, the traditional healers known as
Ngangkaṟis are offering their
ancient and powerful traditional healing methods in mainstream
health settings. � In South Australia, a policy of cultural respect in the public health system supports Indigenous patients to request a Traditional Aboriginal Healer and so today we can see Aboriginal traditional medicine and Western medicine working hand in hand. � � �
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This was the first
official organization of traditional healers in Australia. The group
comes from the Central Desert and are hoping their work will inspire
other Indigenous healers from around Australia to do the same. � ANTAC is the result of a shared vision between Dr Francesca Panzironi (an Italian researcher) and the Ngangkaṟi from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY). � �
working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia. Image by the Aṉangu Ngangkaṟi Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (ANTAC). �
ANTAC Chief Executive Dr Panzironi is passionate about bringing Indigenous wisdom to more people, and has authored a report, Hand in Hand - Report on Traditional Aboriginal Medicine, establishing the foundations for the recognition of Aboriginal traditional medicine in Australia and proposing its inclusion in Australia's national health care system. � When she came to Australia to study how international legal standards related to Aboriginal traditional medicine, she was amazed at the lack of research or recognition of this 60,000-year-old body of knowledge. � With her vision, today this is changing. � The Ngangkaṟis are involved in outreach work and Dr Panzironi heads a team of Ngangkaṟi visiting major hospitals and rural clinics in,
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� It supports them to be in touch with their culture, feel safe and comfortable and to trust the care provided. Health care providers have found more Indigenous people are coming to clinics now that they have the option to see a Ngangkaṟi. � In a country where there are significant gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, and the vast inequality includes shorter life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, poorer health and lower levels of education and employment, it is critical to support Indigenous health. � Aboriginal Traditional Healers use bush medicine, massage and connection techniques. Image by the Aṉangu Ngangkaṟi Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation
(ANTAC).
Natural medicines are used to cure ailments and their healing work also involves massage and connection techniques. � Ms Panzironi told the ABC:
Ngangkaṟi doesn't aim to replace Western medicine, they complement the work of Western doctors and bridge the gap of understanding of Indigenous patients and illnesses that are associated specifically to our lands. � ANTAC believes traditional healers can play a vital part in the effort to close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia. � � �
...and ANTAC provides
Ngangkaṟi treatments on the premises of the requesting organizations
to clients attending the Ngangkaṟi clinic on the day. � No matter how different the techniques may be, the results speak for themselves, and hopefully going forward more and more traditional healers will be available in mainstream settings. � � �
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Where traditional and modern medicine meet... � � |
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