Speech on Traditional Healers Bill by Florence Batyi (Health Spokesperson)
2004-09-09. The proposed Traditional Health Practitioners Bill's impact on the current health system will be quite profound, to say the least. This will be the first time that the practise of traditional healing will be legally recognised, despite the controversial debates surrounding the issue.
Yet, in a country like South Africa, where the majority of people have
consulted a traditional healer, legalisation of this profession does
need serious consideration. Most rural communities consult
traditional healers Training, registration and legalisation of these
healers can only be to the benefit of all South Africans.
With registration, the traditional healing practice can be monitored,
and those who claim to be “healers†without any training and
accreditation can be stopped from generating any harm.
Quite frankly, South Africa is experiencing a national HIV/AIDS-crisis
and until there is no cure, we need to use all the help we can get
provided the peoples right to good medicine is secured.
However, the following issues need serious consideration:
1.Resources and infrastructure need to be made available for the testing of traditional medicine2, instead of continued ignorance and prejudice to traditional healing practices.
2.The issue of traditional surgeons need to be made clear, as the Bill does not provide clarity on this specific issue.1
3.Although the Bill has set some minimum standards for the qualifications of traditional healers, the issue of experience need to be addressed. Many traditional healers have years of experience, but no formal training.
The Independent Democrats supports the Traditional Healers Bill.
However, the following issues need serious consideration:
1.Resources and infrastructure need to be made available for the testing of traditional medicine2, instead of continued ignorance and prejudice to traditional healing practices.
2.The issue of traditional surgeons need to be made clear, as the Bill does not provide clarity on this specific issue.1
3.Although the Bill has set some minimum standards for the qualifications of traditional healers, the issue of experience need to be addressed. Many traditional healers have years of experience, but no formal training.
The Independent Democrats supports the Traditional Healers Bill.
