Healers treat psychosomatic disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, respiratory and digestive diseases, and snake and other reptile bites. They are often seen around the umbilicus, chest, wrists and ankles. Often used to treat chronic eczema in children or when western medical treatment was not available or has not been effective. The lesions usually indicate that the child or person was very sick at one time. This cultural practice that some Somali believe controls women s' sexuality, but can lead to infection, severe gynecological complications, and even death.
Infectious diseases are widespread and maternal mortality is high.
Traditional healers treat psychosomatic disorders. The first Somali refugees came to New Zealand in 1993. Most of them were women and children. At least 800 Somali refugees have been resettled in Auckland and are living in the central suburbs, such as Mt Albert, Mt Roskill, and Sandringham. Copyright 1999 by somaliawatch.org .