Question NW755 to the Minister of Health
04 June 2020 - NW755
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he has disregarded the role traditional healers could play to render assistance during the Covid-19 crisis, since a great majority of South Africans consult traditional healers on a regular basis for their health problems; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether he has engaged any of the traditional healers in the Republic for this purpose; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes. The Department of Health identified the role that Traditional Health Practitioners could play to render assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. Realising the need to have the Traditional Health Practitioners incorporated into the interventions with regards to the Covoid-19 response, the Department developed and approved the guidelines for Traditional Health Practitioners in dealing with the practice of the Traditional Health Practitioners during Covid-19 lockdown. The guidelines were developed in consultation with key representatives of the traditional health practitioners as well the Ministerial Advisory Committee. These guidelines allow Traditional Health Practitioners to continue with the provision of their essential services to the majority of South Africans within this period of Covid-19 and lockdown.
2. Yes. Traditional Health Practitioners were engaged during the development of the guidelines and engagement process is ongoing with regards to related matters. It is through the successful engagement that a product in the form of the guidelines was issued by the Department.
END.