AYV News, November 26, 2025
In a bold and reassuring statement, Dr. Sheku Tarawally, President of the Sierra Leone Council of Traditional Healers, declared: “We are healers, we are not killers.” This powerful declaration comes amid growing public scrutiny of traditional medicine practices in the country, particularly in the wake of unverified claims linking certain healers to harmful or unethical activities.
Dr. Tarawally’s message is both a defense of the profession and a call for national understanding and regulation. “Our role in society is sacred,” he stated. “For generations, traditional healers have provided care where there were no hospitals, guidance where there were no counselors, and healing where there was no hope.”
The Council of Traditional Healers, under Dr. Tarawally’s leadership, has been working closely with the Ministry of Health to establish clear standards, licensing procedures, and ethical guidelines for traditional healers. The aim, he said, is to restore public trust and eliminate the small number of impostors giving the profession a bad name.
Traditional medicine plays a crucial role in Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape, especially in rural communities where access to modern health facilities remains limited. However, with its growth comes the need for increased oversight and integration with formal healthcare systems.
“We are not against modern medicine,” Dr. Tarawally said. “We believe in collaboration. Let doctors and herbalists work together for the good of the people. But we must be respected, regulated, and not criminalised.”
As the Council continues to push for national recognition and support, Dr. Tarawally’s words serve as a reminder of the important cultural, spiritual, and medical space traditional healers occupy in Sierra Leonean society.
