The health-seeking practices of borderland communities:

Abstract

The chapter examines the San population of Tsholotsho as a borderland community and their health-seeking practices. The San have been subjected to historical marginalisation and they are currently largely ignored by the Zimbabwean government in relation to creating a conducive environment for them to access health services. The San are thus beset by a plethora of challenges which affect their healthseeking behaviour. In the face of various diseases like diarrhoea, tuberculosis and HIV, they are not receiving the medical attention they expect from the government. The hindrances include long distances to clinics, lack of transport (ambulances), inadequate medical personnel, unavailability of medication and unaffordable medical fees. At times, the San feel that they are overtly discriminated against by the government and neighbouring ethnic groups, namely the Kalanga and Ndebele. On account of this, they might resort to traditional medicines and herbalists to deal with their diseases and ailments, or rely upon churches to obtain healing. The San people argue that they want an improved and strengthened health care system which is closer to their villages, and they highlight the need to have more health staff, equipment and transport for effective health service delivery.