Politically Correct Funding

I take a fairly open mind to alternative therapies. Although scientific evidence for them can often be “iffy” or non-existent, I take the pragmatic approach that if it works for a patient then who am I to argue. Because I take this approach, I like to study the rationales behind alternative treatments , partly so I know what my patients are talking about and partly because I need to be able to spot the absolute charlatans. 

While some of the alternatives do have some science behind them, there are some “treatments” that are most assuredly non-scientific. These are the faith healers and shamans whose healing methods use some form of contact with the spirit-world. Because science requires a naturalistic explanation, these modalities are not scientific at all. As a Christian, I accept that faith healing can work and can work well, but it is not science. Note that I am not suggesting that all faith healers are charlatans.

I would place the Maori healing practices of Rongoa squarely in the faith healing camp. Even though some of Rongoa is based on herbalism (rakau) – which has some scientific basis – underpinning it is a deep reliance on spiritual influences, rather than a “drug effect”. I have no problem with this, as a doctor, and have been generally supportive of patients who prefer this form of therapy, so long as they do not ignore standard medicine in a life threatening situation.

Having said that, I have major issues with the government funding of Rongoa to the tune of $1.9 million. If we are going to fund Rongoa, then why not fund Christian healing services? Shamanism? I don’t wish to go off on a maori-bashing trip here, but there are many non-funded alternative therapies which have a much more scientific basis to them and are thus far more eligible for government funding. It seems to me that this funding of Maori spiritual beliefs is making them a de facto default state religion. It is ironic that  the drive towards political correctness has produced such a politically incorrect result.

I do not subscribe to the narrow view of health being only an absence of disease. There are many things that add to a sense of well-being and spirituality is extremely important in this regard. However, given the paucity of health funding available to us, it seems obvious to me that we should only be funding therapies with clear, scientifically-verifiable outcomes. Anything else is an extravagant waste of money. Funding of Rongoa should be stopped immediately.

I charge only for my medical expertise. My prayers are always free.

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