Objectives

OBJECTIVES

(1) The principal objective of this conference is to mobilize the knowledge, skills and expertise of indigenous healers (non-conventional medical practitioners) from every part of the world towards the identification and validation of effective and cheaper methods, formulas and therapies for the cure and prevention of the following chronic diseases:

Cancer is used generically for more than 100 different diseases, including malignant tumors of different sites, such as breast, cervix, prostate, stomach, colon/rectum, lung and, mouth. Other examples of cancer are leukaemias, sarcomas, Hodgkin´s disease and non-Hodgkin´s lymphomas. The disease arises principally as a consequence of individual exposure to carcinogenic agents in what individuals inhale, eat and drink, or are exposed to in their personal or work environment. Personal habits, such as tobacco use, dietary and physical activity patterns - as well as occupational and environmental conditions - rather than genetic factors, play the major roles in the development of cancer.

Mental disorders – disturbance of the nervous system affecting the brain, the spinal cord and the nerves. Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia – the occurrence of significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity that is severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. Criteria for the diagnosis of dementia include impairment of attention, orientation, memory, judgment, language, motor and spatial skills and function.

Diabetes - a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycaemia and other related disturbances in the body’s metabolism can lead to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Cardiovascular diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels - arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditis, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system and congenital heart disease.

(2) To create modules, which will engender deeper understanding about indigenous beliefs and cultures to assist policy makers and Healthcare professionals to competently interact, diagnose and treat native peoples afflicted with chronic diseases.

(3) To develop in-service training in diagnosis, treatment and referral, as well as certification and technologically facilitated support systems to better empower traditional healers as recognized partners in the struggle against disease, through utilization of hybrid best practices.

(4) To promote collaboration between indigenous healers, public health institutions, conventional medical practitioners and the community leaderships towards education and empowerment of the general communities, especially in Canada, United States, Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific regions, about early signs and detection of these diseases in order to encourage early medical interventions.