About Us

The Traditional Healers Organization for Africa (THO) is a non-profit organisation initiated in 1970 and first registered as the Traditional Healers Association in 1980, before being registered as the Traditional Healers Organization in 1985. The organisation was established by Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) concerned with inequitable treatment and provision of resources between the so called modern form of healthcare and traditional form of healthcare,  diminishing religious tolerance and respect for indigenous people, the increase in abuse of THPs, discrimination of people possessed by ancestral spirits/power and poor investment by governments in promoting and protecting the role of THPs in comprehensive primary healthcare. THO protects the practicing right of every THP, upholds a culture of human and health rights, preserves and promotes indigenous knowledge systems and hold government, lawmakers and opinion leaders accountable for upholding and promoting health rights for all and people’s right to access any form of healthcare of their choice.  

THO is committed to:

1. Creating a situation where member THPs are organised against all forms of harm against them and the societies they live in. 
2. Building an institution with strong membership capacity that can respond to demands of the sector and consumers of traditional healthcare.
3. Protecting and promoting indigenous heritage resources and culture, through public education and the implementing of projects to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage.
4. Protecting professional freedom and practicing rights of every healthcare service provider. 
5. Facilitating partnerships that promote indigenous knowledge systems and innovation.