Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»Ascend slowly. On Kilimanjaro, this means choosing one of the longer routes (eg
Machame) that allow for a more gradual ascent. Also, whatever route you choose, opt to
take an additional rest day on the mountain, sleeping two nights at the same location, and
using the day for short hikes. All operators can arrange this, and the extra money (a relative
pittance in comparison with the overall costs of a Kili trek) will be money well spent.
»It is always wise to sleep at a lower altitude than the greatest height reached during the
day, if possible ('climb high, sleep low').
»Drink lots of fluids. Mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Eva-
poration of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
»Eat light, high carbohydrate meals for more energy.
»Avoid alcohol as it increases the risk of dehydration.
»Avoid sedatives.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE MARY FITZPATRICK
According to some estimates, at least 80% of Tanzanians rely in part or in whole
on traditional medicine, and close to two thirds of the population have tradition-
al healers as their first point of contact in the case of illness. The mganga (tradi-
tional healer) holds a revered position in many communities, and traditional
medicinal products are widely available in local markets. In part, the heavy reli-
ance on traditional medicine is because of the comparatively high costs of con-
ventional Western-style medicine, and because of prevailing cultural attitudes
and beliefs, but also because it sometimes works. Often, though, it's because
there is no other choice. In northeastern Tanzania, for example, it is estimated
that while there is only one medical doctor to over 30,000 people, there is a tra-
ditional healer for approximately every 150 people. While the ratio is somewhat
better countrywide (one medical doctor to about 20,000 people), hospitals and
health clinics are concentrated in urban areas, and most are limited in their ef-
fectiveness because of insufficient resources and chronic shortages of equip-
ment and medicines.
While some traditional remedies seem to work on malaria, sickle-cell an-
aemia, high blood pressure and other ailments, most traditional healers learn
their art by apprenticeship, so education (and consequently application of know-
ledge) is often inconsistent and unregulated. At the centre of efforts to address
problems arising from this is the Institute of Traditional Medicine
( www.muchs.ac.tz ; Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam). Among other
things, the institute is studying the efficacy of various traditional cures, and pro-
moting those that are found to be successful. There are also local efforts to cre-
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