Traditional healthcare (TH) is the use of indigenous knowledge, skills, and practices to maintain health, prevent, diagnose, or treat physical and mental illnesses. In South Africa, TH is mainly practiced by traditional health practitioners (THPs), who are classified into four categories: diviners (isangomas), herbalists (inyangas), traditional surgeons (ingcibi), and traditional birth attendants (ababelethisi) 1. TH is an integral part of the culture and history of many South Africans, and it serves the health needs of millions of people, especially in rural areas where access to conventional medicine is limited or unaffordable 2.
Some of the possible ways to promote TH in South Africa are:
Implementing the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (THPA): The THPA was enacted in 2007 to provide a legal framework for the recognition, regulation, and integration of TH in the national health system. The THPA aims to establish a national council for THPs, register and certify THPs, set standards and codes of conduct for TH practice, facilitate cooperation between THPs and other health professionals, and promote research and development on TH 4. However, the implementation of the THPA has been slow and incomplete due to various challenges, such as lack of funding, human resources, political will, and stakeholder involvement . Therefore, there is a need to accelerate and monitor the implementation of the THPA and ensure that it addresses the needs and interests of all relevant parties.
Conducting research and development on TH: Research and development on TH is essential for generating evidence-based knowledge on the safety, efficacy, quality, and mechanisms of action of TH products and services. Research and development on TH can also contribute to the discovery and innovation of new drugs, therapies, and technologies from natural sources. However, research and development on TH in South Africa is limited and fragmented due to lack of funding, infrastructure, capacity, coordination, and ethical guidelines . Therefore, there is a need to increase and sustain investment in research and development on TH; build research infrastructure and capacity; foster collaboration among researchers, THPs, communities, industry, and government; develop ethical principles and protocols for conducting research on TH; and disseminate research findings and recommendations to inform policy and practice.
Educating health professionals and the public on TH: Education on TH is important for raising awareness, understanding, respect, and appreciation of TH among health professionals and the public. Education on TH can also enhance the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of health professionals and the public on how to use TH appropriately, effectively, safely, and responsibly. However, education on TH in South Africa is scarce and inconsistent due to lack of curriculum, materials, resources, and trainers . Therefore, there is a need to develop and implement comprehensive and standardized curriculum and materials on TH for health professionals and the public; provide adequate resources and trainers for delivering education on TH; and evaluate the impact of education on TH on health outcomes and behaviors.
The Traditional Healer’s Organisation: A Voice for Traditional Health Practitioners in South Africa.
THPs face many challenges and barriers in South Africa, such as lack of recognition, regulation, integration, research, education, and collaboration. These factors affect the quality, safety, efficacy, and availability of TH services and products, as well as the rights, responsibilities, and reputation of THPs and their patients 3. Therefore, there is a need for a strong and representative voice for THPs in South Africa to advocate for their interests and needs, and to promote their contribution to the health system and society.
The Traditional Healer’s Organisation (THO) is a non-profit organisation that aims to fulfil this need. The THO was initiated in 1970 and first registered as the Traditional Healers Association in 1980, before being registered as the Traditional Healers Organisation in 1985 4. The THO is the largest and oldest organisation of THPs in South Africa, with over 30 000 members across the country 5. The THO has a national executive committee, provincial structures, and local branches that coordinate its activities and programmes 4.
The vision of the THO is to be a leading organisation that harnesses, develops, and promotes traditional health care practice and systems in South Africa 4. The mission of the THO is to provide leadership, training, and guidance on matters related to traditional healing and traditional health practitioners; to help improve the standard of living of the traditional health practitioners; to facilitate and monitor the training and development of members and patients; to protect the rights and dignity of members and patients; to foster cooperation and partnership with other stakeholders in the health sector; and to contribute to the development of policies and legislation that support traditional healing 4.
Some of the objectives and activities of the THO are:
To implement the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (THPA) of 2007, which provides a legal framework for the recognition, regulation, and integration of TH in the national health system 6.
To establish a national council for THPs, which will register and certify THPs, set standards and codes of conduct for TH practice, facilitate cooperation between THPs and other health professionals, and promote research and development on TH 6.
To participate in various forums and platforms that deal with health issues, such as the National Health Council, the National Health Insurance Fund, the Medicines Control Council, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, and the World Health Organisation 4.
To conduct research and development on TH products and services, such as herbal medicines.
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