The Wire

The first organisation of traditional Aboriginal healers was launched recently along with a report which looks at the place such healers could take within the Western medical system. Ngangkari healers already operate in remote Australia but the new Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation will accredit them, and work towards a two-way health care model.

Dr Francesca Panzironi has worked with a group of Ngangkari healers in the APY lands to set up ANTAC. She says while many other countries have two way systems she was amazed to find when she came to Australia that there was no research into or recognition of traditional healers.