Hello barmby! Welcome to the forum!

To heal your sick villager you may drop another one, even a kid!! on him, insist a lot when he/she says "no", and your villager will get better.

There is a puzzle to solve to have some healers. In the "Forum List", scroll down to the Guides' section, then to VV1 the lost children guide. You'll may choose between:
Strategy Guide and Puzzle Hints by Carla
*Detailed Puzzle Solutions - Major Spoilers!* by Carla
Good luck!