Cultural treatments – essential or just what the witch doctor ordered?
Generally, healthcare operators across the world offer similar services, albeit with varying degrees of funding, efficiency, technology – and of course success. But occasionally, cultural differences throw up a service which is respected and relied on in one region, and yet ignored everywhere else.
How can this be? The difference is usually cultural. Below, there is a fascinating insight into the world of postpartum care in China, where – for the price of a small car – the new mum and a close family member are pampered and preened while the baby is looked after by medical staff for a month.
In China and across into parts of Southeast Asia, like Taiwan, this prolonged rest and relaxation period is seen as essential by some, and a multi-million dollar business has built up around it.
And in the West? There’s no market, no interest, and even talking to the greatest proponents of the treatment, no prospect of it ever taking off.
There’s something similar going on in China with traditional Chinese medicine. As readers will know, HCC invested heavily in traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) last month. TMC is respected and accepted in China and runs alongside “Western” medicine in hospitals.
Elsewhere, in South Africa, there is also a history of traditional medicine. There, however, it encompasses everything from witch doctors to herbalism and spiritual healing. While this is not being practiced in hospitals, it is being used by patients who might otherwise seek hospital help.
Is this a bad thing? Our source and a well-respected doctor told us that if nothing else, these patients were being protected from the harm Western doctors might do to them!
What can operators take away from this? Could these ideas be transplanted elsewhere?
It seems unlikely to us. Postpartum care is an interesting concept but one alien to most cultures to the degree it is practiced in China – and for the cost that is charged.
There is a substantial interest in traditional Chinese medicine but this is likely to be catered for by retailers and tiny high street clinics rather than hospitals outside of Southeast Asia.
And the South African witch doctor? There may be a risk inherent in going into any Western-style hospital. But the bald statistics, and life expectancy figures of the countries which practice this best, suggest it’s just what the (non-witch) doctor ordered.
Mind you, Westerners are generally engaging more and more in things which look suspiciously like witchcraft – homeopathy, emotional freedom techniques and beyond. Reiki, acupuncture and more besides are becoming respectable.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to David Farbrother or call 0207 183 3779.
