Community Resilience: The Role of Traditional Healers in Public Health                                                                          

Bizimana Rukundo T.

Faculty of Biological Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Community resilience is critical for public health, particularly in regions with fragile healthcare systems. Traditional healers, who provide accessible and culturally relevant care significantly enhance resilience through disease prevention, health education, and psychological support. Despite their importance, traditional healing faces challenges such as marginalization, lack of formal recognition, and conflicts with biomedical practitioners. This paper investigates how integrating traditional healing into modern healthcare can strengthen public health outcomes, using case studies from regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. It discusses strategies for fostering trust, community engagement, and policy frameworks that bridge traditional and biomedical approaches. A holistic healthcare model that respects cultural traditions while ensuring safety and efficacy can enhance community well-being and resilience, particularly in crises.

Keywords: Community resilience, traditional healing, public health, indigenous medicine, healthcare integration, cultural competence, health disparities.

CITE AS: Bizimana Rukundo T. (2025). Community Resilience: The Role of Traditional Healers in Public Health. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY, 6(2):14-24. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJPP/2025/621414