Healers are in private practice
TRADITIONAL healers are still barred from operating in hospitals.
This is despite a working relationship being formed between traditional health practitioners and the Department of Health.
Department spokesman Joe Maila said traditional health practice was private, while hospitals and clinics were public facilities.
“The department works on policies. There are no policies that allow traditional health practitioners (THPs) to treat patients in hospitals. These are two different systems,” Maila said. He said there were currently no public facilities for traditional health practice in the country.
“Therefore, THPs are not allowed to perform rituals or practise in hospitals ... The relationship between the department and THPs is stable.
“It is also strengthened by the communication structures (committees for THPs) established in provinces, districts and sub-districts. Constant consultation with all stakeholders, including associations and organisations for THPs, is continuous.”
He said since the department announced the directorate in 2006, traditional medicine units had been established in provinces and an interim traditional health practitioners council was appointed in 2013, among other things.
Maila said as today marks African Traditional Medicine Day, the department had been holding events across the country to commemorate it under the theme “Regulation of Traditional Medicine Products in the African Region” as provided by the World Health Organisation.
“Traditional medicine in South Africa is regulated under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 2007 (Act No 22 of 2007) and the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 101 of 1965 as amended to determine the relevant legislation.
“They are first classified into four categories based on the method of preparation, indications for use and the extent of development.” Last year, the department’s proposed law on stricter regulations caused an uproar among traditional health practitioners. Maila said the purpose of the regulations was to outline the processes and requirements for registration with the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of SA.