**7. Exploring the indigenous epistemologies and sustainable collaborations**

The author argues for the need of a different approach to collaboration with indigenous communities who have experienced centuries of colonization and

**79**

*Understanding the Science of Indigenous Health System: Key to Sustainable Collaborations*

dehumanization of their traditional beliefs, health systems and practices. It is the author's view that postcolonial indigenous researchers should develop indigenous epistemologies and methodologies which dismantle, deconstruct and decolonize the Euro-western paradigms of thinking. It provides a platform for the rethinking of the indigenous health system, its philosophies and the sciences involved when a complete healthcare service was provided for centuries before colonization [54]. Although the two healthcare systems operate side by side at different levels of science, i.e. theory of disease causation and management of disease, a mutually agreed upon collaboration between the two systems could positively impact the establishment of a complete health system. A new trajectory and respect for the views that an individual or a community holds on health and diseases should be established, which will not only influence the interpretation of different health conditions and beliefs regarding causation of diseases but will also determine the type of providers who are consulted for the management, restoration of health and the wellbeing of communities. A sustainable collaboration would require exploring approaches that eliminate the "come join us" attitude and monopolistic health system of allopathic health practitioners who regard themselves as holding the gold standard against

**8. Development of sustainable collaborations through decolonization** 

Studies show that the integration of allopathic and traditional medicine should include co-learning and mutual respect [19, 55, 56]. Traditional and allopathic healthcare practitioners already have common practices, for example, the physiotherapists' use of steam for inhalation therapy which is similar to ukugquma and using a warm towel compress which is similar to ukuthoba. Midwives recommending alternative positions during delivery is similar to methods used by traditional

Creating opportunities for collaboration and capacity development through training of allopathic healthcare practitioners in traditional healthcare practices is emancipatory, will stimulate awareness and creates a cultural sensitivity among allopathic healthcare practitioners [50, 57]. Collaboration will create an opportunity to enhance the transfer of skills and sharing of knowledge between the traditional and allopathic healthcare sectors [58, 59]. It should translate into curriculum transformation through co-teaching, co-supervision and transfer of knowledge on diagnostic measures applied by indigenous practitioners in preparation and packaging of traditional medicines. Through such a training process, trust will be fostered between the traditional and allopathic healthcare sectors, and co-operation will be facilitated, leading to sharing of critical information and ultimately empowerment

Indigenous communities, through colonization, have been oppressed, stripped of human dignity and have died inside a long time ago. Existing collaborations have failed to recognize the importance of redressing the inequalities of the past and to acknowledge the importance of indigenous knowledge [4]. It is the belief that the experience gained when indigenous and allopathic health practitioners work alongside each other would result in lasting collaborations. The view has been expressed by indigenous scholars that decolonization of healthcare requires a change in mindset and the establishment of agendas that would allow for mutual exchange and recognition of indigenous knowledge [61]. The success of it relies on a change in attitude, recognizing the value of indigenous health systems, beliefs and

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92090*

which all others are assessed.

birth attendants throughout the ages.

of both types of healthcare practitioners [60].

the Ubuntu spirit in African communities.

**processes**

*Understanding the Science of Indigenous Health System: Key to Sustainable Collaborations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92090*

dehumanization of their traditional beliefs, health systems and practices. It is the author's view that postcolonial indigenous researchers should develop indigenous epistemologies and methodologies which dismantle, deconstruct and decolonize the Euro-western paradigms of thinking. It provides a platform for the rethinking of the indigenous health system, its philosophies and the sciences involved when a complete healthcare service was provided for centuries before colonization [54]. Although the two healthcare systems operate side by side at different levels of science, i.e. theory of disease causation and management of disease, a mutually agreed upon collaboration between the two systems could positively impact the establishment of a complete health system. A new trajectory and respect for the views that an individual or a community holds on health and diseases should be established, which will not only influence the interpretation of different health conditions and beliefs regarding causation of diseases but will also determine the type of providers who are consulted for the management, restoration of health and the wellbeing of communities. A sustainable collaboration would require exploring approaches that eliminate the "come join us" attitude and monopolistic health system of allopathic health practitioners who regard themselves as holding the gold standard against which all others are assessed.
