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    • Angeline Thomas
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      Cultural competence in healthcare can be incredibly challenging, especially when faced with traditions or beliefs that may differ from your own. However, to achieve the best outcomes for patients, it’s essential to show respect for the cultural values and beliefs of their families.

      I recall a case involving a young child brought to our emergency department in critical condition due to gastrointestinal issues. The child had a decreased level of consciousness, and upon further inquiry, we learned that the mother had been administering traditional medicine from a sangoma. Unfortunately, the child’s condition worsened, leading to severe dehydration, intractable seizures, and renal failure.

      After several days of treatment, while the renal failure improved, it became apparent that the child had sustained significant brain damage due to the initial delay in care. At that point, the mother expressed a strong desire to leave the hospital and return to the sangoma, despite our extensive counseling efforts. She was resolute, making it challenging for us to reason with her.

      In retrospect, we might have achieved a different outcome if we had involved someone from her cultural background—someone who understood her beliefs and could communicate effectively with her. As outsiders, we faced a barrier of distrust, while she placed her faith in her cultural practices to heal her child.

      To truly provide effective care, it’s crucial to build trust with families. By engaging cultural mediators or liaisons, we can bridge the gap between medical advice and cultural beliefs, fostering cooperation that benefits the child’s treatment and overall well-being. Winning the trust of parents is essential for successful interventions and outcomes in pediatric care

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