The role of the African traditional healer in women's health.

Traditional healers provide an important link between the rural people of Africa and primary health care. The purpose of this article is to review more recent literature and contemporary practices related to the role of the traditional healer in Africa and the move toward collaboration with an introduction of Western-style medicine and health care, especially for women. African women, particularly older ones in rural communities, utilize the traditional healer's timeless and ancient caregiving when faced with symptoms of mental and physical illness. The concept of training traditional healers and medical personnel to deliver traditional and Western health care to communities requires further consideration and a plan of implementation.