Public comments on healers’ ethics bill open

THE public participation process has opened for comments on the draft of ethics guidelines for traditional healers in South Africa.

A technical committee of the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) has opened the process as it moves to get the Guideline on Ethics for Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) approved.

The document offers recommendations on the discipline and practices it requires from THPs. “It also covers the following areas of THP-related activities as specified in the relevant national legislation: to provide guidance on THP services; to provide guidance on how to monitor, evaluate and work to improve THP practices; to serve as the foundation for managing THP surgeries; and to provide guidance on training and support for ongoing professional development,” the document read.

The SABS also highlighted ethics that traditional medicine surgeries needed to abide by, which includes how medication should be kept and the treatment of patients.

“To uphold (ethical) African traditional medicine surgeries, the following should be considered: all personnel should attend relevant training, preferably on a continuous basis. Medicines should be prescribed only by registered practitioners,” it said.

The draft is open for public comment until April 20 and is available from the SABS on request. Comments should be sent, either by mail, fax or by email, to SABS Standards Division Attention: Compliance and development department, Private Bag X191, Pretoria 0001 or via Fax to 012 344 1568 (for attention: dsscomments) email: dsscomments@sabs.co.za