“Traditional healers and modern doctors do not understand each other because they learn different things” South African traditional health practitioners training with regards to hearing impairment

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
V de Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
South African ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners

scholarly journals Allopathic and traditional health practitioners’ collaboration

Curationis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalena Van Rooyen ◽  
Blanche Pretorius ◽  
Nomazwi M. Tembani ◽  
Wilma Ten Ham
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Professional Relationship ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Research Population

Background: Professional collaboration between traditional and allopathic health practitioners in South Africa is proposed in the Traditional Health Practitioners Act and could benefit and complement healthcare delivery.Objectives: To explore and describe the collaborative relationship between allopathic and traditional health practitioners regarding the legalisation of traditional healing, and these health practitioners’ views of their collaborative and professional relationship, as role-players in the healthcare delivery landscape in South Africa.Methods: A qualitative design was followed. The research population comprised 28 participants representing three groups: allopathic health practitioners (n = 10), traditionalhealers (n = 14), and traditional healers who are also allopathic health practitioners (n = 4). Purposive and snowball sampling was used. Data collection involved unstructured interviews, a focus group interview and modified participant observation.Results: Results indicate both allopathic and traditional health practitioners experienced negative attitudes towards each other. Mutual understanding (in the form of changing attitudes and communication) was considered crucial to effective collaboration between these two health systems. Participants made suggestions regarding capacity building.Conclusions: Considering realities of staff shortages and the disease burden in South Africa, facilitating collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners is recommended. Recommendations could be used to develop strategies for facilitating professional collaboration between traditional and allopathic health practitioners in order to complement healthcare delivery.

scholarly journals Perceptions and experiences of allopathic health practitioners on collaboration with traditional health practitioners in post-apartheid South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon M. Nemutandani ◽  
Stephen J. Hendricks ◽  
Mavis F. Mulaudzi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Quality Of Health Care ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners

Background: The indigenous health system was perceived to be a threat to the allopathic health system. It was associated with ‘witchcraft’, and actively discouraged, and repressed through prohibition laws. The introduction of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act No 22 of 2007 brought hope that those centuries of disrespect for traditional health systems would change. The study examined the perceptions and experiences of allopathic health practitioners on collaboration with traditional health practitioners in post-apartheid South Africa.Methods: Qualitative descriptive research methodology was used to collect data from allopathic health practitioners employed by Limpopo’s Department of Health. In-depth focus group discussions and meetings were conducted between January and August 2014. Perceptions and experiences of working with traditional health practitioners were explored. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Pretoria and approval from the Department’s Research Committee.Results: Dominant views were that the two health systems were not compatible with respect to the science involved and the source of knowledge. Overall, quality of health care will be compromised if traditional health practitioners are allowed to work in public health facilities.Conclusion: Allopathic health practitioners do not appear ready to work with traditional health practitioners, citing challenges of quality of health care, differences regarding concept of sciences and source of knowledge; and lack of policy on collaboration. Lack of exposure to traditional medicine seems to impede opportunities to accept and work with traditional healers. Exposure and training at undergraduate level regarding the traditional health system is recommended. Policy guidelines on collaborations are urgently required.

scholarly journals Allopathic and traditional health practitioners: A reply to Nemutandani, Hendricks and Mulaudzi

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudi W. De Lange
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Traditional Healer ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Practices ◽  
Modern Health Care ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Care Practices

An earlier paper in this journal reported on the perception and experience of 77 allopathic health practitioners (AHPs) and health managers about working together with South African traditional health practitioners (THPs). The paper stated that the abolishment of the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 and the introduction of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act No. 22 of 2007 is a milestone in the development of traditional health knowledge, and for the eventual incorporation thereof into modern health care practices. The authors also comment that a decolonisation of mindset and a change of attitude is required to change one’s perception of traditional healer practices and to develop them parallel to allopathic health practice. This opinion paper is a response to the paper, to negate its claims about the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 and to provide clarity on the Traditional Health Practitioners Act No. 22 of 2007 and related policies and regulations. Although this Act recognises THP, the Act and other regulations actually require THP to conform to practices analogous to those of AHP. It is rather a systematic and scientific ‘mindset’ that is required to develop THP parallel to AHP. The Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007 and the Draft Policy on African Traditional Medicine (TM) for South Africa dictate that a substantial THP sectoral transformation is required before there can be a parallel system. Legislation and regulations have excluded THP and African TM from operating (present and future) in the same space as AHP.

scholarly journals DEDUCTIBLE MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES: TRADITIONAL HEALERS, PHARMACISTS AND COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanie van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
Income Tax ◽  
Traditional Healer ◽  
Burden Of Proof ◽  
Medical Practitioner ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Medical Expenses ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners

In terms of section 18(1)(b)(i) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 a taxpayer is entitled to a qualifying medical-expenses deduction for services rendered by a registered medical practitioner specifically listed in subparagraph (i). Since the promulgation of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 35 of 2004 and the later Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 (which replaced the earlier unconstitutional act), section 18(1)(b)(i) has not been amended to provide a qualifying medical-expenses deduction to a taxpayer who consulted a traditional healer instead of a medical practitioner as listed in subparagraph (i). This article attempts to show that no suchamendment is needed. The taxpayer can avail himself of the burden of proof to make a qualifying medical-expenses deduction for services rendered by a traditional healer by applying an expansive interpretation to the words “medical practitioner”. This article furthermore discusses the interpretation problems as a result of the vague meaning of “professional services” and the subsequent possibility to deduct cosmetic expenses as qualifying medical expenses. Lastly, this article discusses the situation where a taxpayer wishes to make a qualifying medical-expenses deduction for schedule 2 medicines prescribed and supplied by a pharmacist, which, it seems, is not allowed.

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