Beliefs in sorcery and witchcraft are very common in Papua New Guinea and accusations can lead to violence, fear and even death, something which organizations including the churches, are trying to seriously address.
Church-run health facilities provide about half of rural healthcare and play an important role in helping people affected by sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV).
Research from November 2023 to August 2024 looked at six church-run health centers in Enga, Simbu, and Eastern Highlands provinces.
Researchers spoke with 122 people including doctors, nurses, church leaders and SARV survivors. They used interviews, group discussions, observations and reviewed previous studies. The study found that church health workers often provide emergency treatment, counselling and practical help to SARV survivors.
Staff focus on medical care based on science not personal beliefs about sorcery. Clergy and community leaders help protect survivors and support ethical care.
Some health centers show excellent practices. Yampu Health Center in Enga offers free treatment, safe recovery and ongoing support with the help of the Catholic Diocese.
Mingende Hospital in Simbu and others provide compassionate care even with limited resources. Staff keep survivors safe, respect their privacy, and treat them with dignity.
Priests and respected community members sometimes rescue people who have been accused, and explaining the medical cause of death helps prevent rumors about sorcery.
Meanwhile, the children orphaned by SARV receive education and support.
Br Martin Tnines, Director of the Melanesian Institute said, “Church healthcare workers are often the first line of protection for survivors of sorcery accusation-related violence. Their dedication to ethical, compassionate care not only saves lives but also helps restore dignity and hope to the affected communities.”
There are still challenges. There is little SARV-specific data, not enough trained counsellors and many staff don’t know the relevant laws. Also, collaboration with other organizations is limited.
The report recommends hiring staff who provide fair, science-based care, training specialist counsellors for SARV survivors, teaching staff about SARV and related laws.
It also recommends working with police, local courts and community groups, visiting families to explain medical causes of death, advocating for SARV to be treated as a public health problem, offering free medical care and reports for SARV survivors, creating safehouses in high-risk provinces, keeping accurate, confidential SARV records and making written policies to guide care for SARV survivors.
