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.

Impact of Religion on Traditional Health Care Practices Among the Lepchas of Upper and Lower Lingthem of Upper Dzongu, Sikkim, India

2021 ◽  
pp. 2455328X2199571
Author(s):  
Manisha Thapa ◽  
Pinak Tarafdar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Health Care Practices ◽  
Modern Health Care ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Traditional Health Care ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Village

In all cultures and regions, the concept of health varies, based on the type of environment and prevalent sociocultural traditions. The present study is conducted among the Lepchas of the village of Lingthem divided into two sectors—Upper and Lower Lingthem, Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim. This population comprising Buddhist Lepchas residing away from the mainstream through poor infrastructural facilities still maintain ethnomedical health care practices without influence of major Indian healing systems. Living in the area of Dzongu exclusively inhabited by Lepchas revival of ancient cultural practices is evident among Lepchas of Lingthem. The structure of religious beliefs prevalent among the Lepchas, including traditional animistic as well as Buddhist practices, greatly influence forms of treatment sought for specific ailments. Even today, the use and maintenance of traditional health care with syncretized Buddhist religious belief among residents of Lingthem act as a vital source for understanding the influence of religion on traditional health care practices. Despite the presence of a few modern health care agencies, the traditional treatment of Bongthing (Lepcha shaman) and Buddhist monks remain widely popular as primary means of health care.

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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