Trinidad / Special Interests / Health Practitioners

By Stephen Thorpe

Alternative medicine has gained increasingly widespread acceptance, partly as a result of the global phenomenon and also as an extension of traditional folklore and bush practices. Several pharmacies island wide stock herbal remedies and it’s usually possible to source other less mainstream concoctions or potions with a discreet word in the ear of your friendly taxi driver.

An international seminar at the Medical School of the University of the West Indies (UWI) at St Augustine, Trinidad in August 2010 noted that the Caribbean and Latin America have the highest rates of non-communicable and lifestyle diseases in the world and that Trinidad has massive potential for developing ayurvedic methods of treatment (dealing with the body, soul and emotions) which developed in India - 44% of Trinidadians are of Indian origin so the parallels and empathy are obvious. Check the local press for practitioners.

The science and principles of homeopathy have been readily accepted by doctors and nurses in Trinidad, with an apparent inbuilt understanding of its benefits according to visiting educational consultants and an awareness is growing all the time.

Most of the large hotels have their own in-house therapists or will be able to direct you to respected professionals elsewhere.

Complementary health practitioners in Trinidad include:

Dr Harry Ramnarine, Chaguanas - Homeopath and former surgeon. He is also a consultant for the School of Pharmacy at the UWI where he specialises in Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.

Rajesh Dharrie-Maharaj, Port of Spain - A graduate of the British School of Osteopathy, Rajesh Dharrie-Maharaj is a well regarded osteopath who has practiced (also taught) in the UK for four years before setting up his private practice in Trinidad in 2004.

Natural Balance Centre, Port of Spain - An excellent alternative practice is the holistic clinic and dispensary run by professional husband and wife team Philip Franco, a qualified naturopath and herbalist, and Camille his psychotherapist wife, who offer to treat any chronic or acute conditions which regular doctors have been unable to address.