Traditional medicine poisoning : a retrospective analysis of cases admitted to Princess Marina Hospital between 1988-1992

ABSTRACT

In Botswana; as elsewhere in Africa; traditional healers are held in high esteem and are widely consulted for a variety of ailments. In fact; there is a national policy that they should be considered as an integral part of the national health services and that there should be cooperation between the government health services and the traditional healers. Unfortunately; clinical experience indicates that a number of patients are often admitted or referred to main hospitals with conditions attributed to the adverse effects of traditional remedies. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical features of patients admitted with traditional medicine poisoning