A PASSION FOR HEALING

AT 27 YEARS OLD, DR GARATT HAMILTON IS JUST WHERE HE WANTS TO BE; PRACTICING THE GENTLE ART OF HOMEOPATHY WHILE HELPING TO HEAL THOSE LESS PRIVILEGED WITH HIS SKILLS, WRITES LEE CURRIE

It has always been part of my nature to help others, and for me a medical career was definitely the way to go. Having decided on homeopathy I soon became hooked on the profession. Each year I found it more and more enjoyable and interesting – now I can’t imagine doing anything else,” smiles this passionate young doctor.

After qualifying in 2017 Garatt opened rooms in Durban before moving to Mount Edgecombe late last year where he is continuing to grow his business. That’s when he’s not consulting at Khula Natural Health Centre in rural Zululand.

Founded by the Khula Foundation in Switzerland, the NPO was established in April 2017, and is committed to the promotion and improvement of primary healthcare in rural communities within South Africa. Located in Khula Village outside St Lucia, the centre is open for two weeks every month, with Garatt having committed to consulting there for the full period.

He remains upbeat about the success of the initiative: “In the nearly three years since opening, we’ve had about 10 000 consultations,” he recalls. “Apart from the surrounding community, we see patients from all over KZN, some travelling up to 400km to be treated as word of mouth spreads. Many will start queuing from the early hours, some even staying overnight. “Homeopathy can treat a wide variety of conditions.

At Khula we see it all – colds, flu, and musculoskeletal conditions, to more severe conditions such as epilepsy, strokes, cancers and more. We’ve had many success stories, including significant improvement among our AIDS and HIV patients.”

Also on duty at the centre are six permanent practitioners and 15 translators. “The way we are welcomed makes it easy to continue to commit. It’s incredibly rewarding when patients come back specifically to thank us and show us how their condition has improved. And the actual work experience gained at Khula cannot be gained anywhere else.”

According to Garatt, “Homeopathy is a fast growing medical choice around the world. It’s a safe, gentle and natural form of treatment that works with your body to relieve symptoms, restore itself and improve your overall health. The holistic nature of homeopathy means each person is treated as a unique individual. Body, mind and emotions are all considered in the management and prevention of the patient’s disease,” comments Garatt.

LEFT: Garatt attends to a patient.

BELOW LEFT: Garrett and his team in rural Zululand.

FOR MORE INFO

Dr Garatt Hamilton, 064 557 1302; www.hamiltonhomeopathy.com; Volunteers welcome – go to www. khula.org; Like most outreach organisations donations are always welcome. One particular wish at Khula is for a vehicle capable of handling the rough terrain in order to visit those too frail or ill to travel to the centre.