16 Aug 2018

Traditional health practitioners have been urged to comply with and operate under policies as government makes efforts to forge partnerships between all health practitioners.

  This was said at the Tati Siding kgotla in a meeting held as a build up to the traditional health practitioners’ commemoration day to be held in Hukuntsi on September 5.

  A Ministry of Health and Wellness health education technician, Mr Keaitse Kebonyethebe emphasised the importance of collaboration between his ministry and the practitioners, saying it was paramount for both the practitioners and government to work together in offering health services to the citizenry.

  He, however, said traditional doctors and church leaders had to comply by registering under the Traditional Health Practitioners policy.

  He explained that health does not only mean visiting a clinic or health facility, but also involves spiritual practices that are offered by either churches or traditional healers.

  Therefore, in order to have a cordial relationship, government and traditional healers have to comply with regulations, Mr Kebonyethebe noted, adding that regulations seek to guide those who provide such services to ensure people’s lives are protected.

  He advised that upon realising that the patient one has been handling is not responding to their methods, they should transfer him/her immediately.

  Mr Kebonyethebe said some practitioners kept patients until their conditions worsen, which is detrimental to patients.

He also advised that a person’s life should be considered above all, as it is precious and cannot be replaced.

With regard to operating under the policy, he said every practitioner is expected to register with a body that operates to regulate their profession, noting that even medical doctors have their professional regulatory body where they register to operate under certain conditions.

  Mr Kebonyethebe said this was meant for them to be recognised by the law since they dealt with people’s lives.

  He said in the event a practitioner does not comply, they will have to face prosecution for endangering lives. 

  He said although the commemoration month is August, the event was moved to next month due to unforeseen circumstances.

Mr Kebonyethebe encouraged all traditional practitioners to grace the event to sell their services, since other practitioners from other countries will also be in attendance. ENDS