AN APPRAISAL OF AFRICAN AND ORTHODOX MEDICINE WITHIN KAFANCHAN TOWN, KADUNA STATE
Godwin Danjuma Kwalbe, Mikah Nuhu Adamu and Sulaiman I. Richifa
Volume 8 Issue 1
Abstract
The African worldview, which is the sum total of the philosophy and the lens through which Africans view and interpret the world is a neglected theme in African studies. This is not unconnected with the impact of colonial imposition, disregardfor African history by the early European writers and the increasing influence of modernization and globalization. This paper is an appraisal of this African heritage before and after colonialism with a reflection on the connection between African worldview and orthodox western medical practice. The study is situated within the context of terminal illness, epidemic, and death and reveals the persistence of the African worldview in modern society even in the face of increasing advancement in medical science and technology. The research discovers that most dwellers of Kafanchan Town would respond to issues of illness, pandemic and death as spiritual occurrence. The paper utilized HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 to assess the outlook and response of the public (Christians and Muslims) in treatment seeking behaviors so as to understand the relationship between the African worldview and orthodox medicine in Nigeria. The result shows a form of unity between adherents of the two religions as they are bonded by their African heritage. The research methodology utilized both primary and secondary sources. The study recommends a renewed interest in the study of African worldview in schools in order to properly understand and interpret changes in attitudes among Nigerians in relations to orthodox medical diagnoses and solutions. Also, government should consider integrating traditional African medicine into the health system as there are still untapped benefits within it. Keywords: African Worldview, Orthodox Medicine, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Death
Download Paper