Traditional doctors from QRoo, Campeche and Yucatán share knowledge

With the aim of discussing and reflecting on the exercise of an ancient practice in indigenous communities such as traditional medicine, the Peninsular Meeting of Practitioners of Traditional Mayan Medicine and Midwifery was held this weekend in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

“Dialogue circles, panels were held, sharing experiences between doctors and midwives, to strengthen this practice in their own communities and also so that they can recognize themselves,” shared Venancia Coh Chuc, in charge of the office of the affairs of the representative office in Quintana Roo of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI).

The meeting took place on October 21 and 22 within the framework of the World and National Day of Traditional Medicine 2022 (which is celebrated on the 22nd) and as part of the activities of the Program for the Integral Well-being of Indigenous Peoples (Probipi), at the Facilities of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Coordinating Center for Indigenous Peoples, with the collaboration of 150 doctors and 200 participants in total.

It was a meeting of traditional doctors and midwives at the peninsular level, so a representation from the state of Campeche and another from Yucatan attended. “In some way, demand recognition from the State for this important knowledge that has brought indigenous communities forward,” the official explained.

In addition to this recognition of modern medicine, the goal is to facilitate the exchange of experiences, knowledge and traditional knowledge, the definition of proposals for action and institutional collaboration, aimed at the rescue, conservation, revaluation, strengthening and promotion of the exercise of the various manifestations and practices of traditional Mayan medicine from the Yucatan Peninsula and the country.

Among the objectives, according to Coh Chuc, is also the promotion of community health through this traditional medicine, especially in those more remote communities where access to a state health service is difficult.

And one of the main dialogues is the formation of the initiative that seeks to recognize the right to maintain, strengthen and practice traditional medicine and midwifery, as well as the people who practice it, the knowledge, health practices, including the conservation of its medicinal plants, minerals, animals, waters, lands and sacred spaces of vital interest, among others.

The meeting began on Friday with the presentation of the topic Experience of the Practice and Exercise of Traditional Medicinefollowed by The Role of Traditional Medicine in the Universalization of Community Health and among other topics also included: Rights of indigenous peoples. ILO Convention 169: Exhibition of Lived Experiences, Demonstrative Practices of Midwifery and Traditional Medicine.

Other conferences were: Spirituality and Traditional Medicine Y Analysis of the Legal Framework of Traditional Medicine and Midwifery. There was dialogue and proposals for agreements from the participants and finally the plenary session with the presentation of results and conclusions.

Read: Traditional medicine, an alternative to medical violence against rural women

Edition: Estefania Cardeña

Traditional doctors from QRoo, Campeche and Yucatán share knowledge