Traditional healers encouraged to register their practices

THE PROFESSIONAL Association for African Traditional Health Practitioners of South Africa (PAATHPSA) is encouraging traditional healers, herbalists, traditional birth attendants, traditional surgeons and prophets to register their practices to maintain safety and ethical standards.

The secretary-general of PAATHPSA in the Northern Cape, Bathobakae Benny Collins, said the organisation plays an important role in treating conditions such as HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections and mental health.

“We have 370 registered members in the Northern Cape, 194 in the Free State, 116 in the North West and 61 in Gauteng. We have members in four districts of the Northern Cape but are struggling to register members in the Namakwa District. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of unregistered practitioners. Traditional healers must belong to an organisation in order to practice,” said Collins.

He added that they maintain a database of all registered members.

“Clients can lay complaints with the organisation if they experience any difficulties. The organisation also encourages healers to work with their ward councillors and police forums. “Patients must be allowed to consult with local clinics when needed. Traditional healers must also know how to behave in their communities. Trainers (amatwasa) must not practise witchcraft and mislead people.”

Collins indicated that the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa was still in the process of registering traditional healers in the country.

“All traditional healers are expected to operate within the regulations of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act.”

Collins explained that the organisation wished to prevent unethical behaviour.

“In the past years, we experienced challenges with people who drowned in rivers while undergoing traditional ceremonies as well as initiation deaths and injuries. Earlier this year a child was burnt by a prophet. We are trying to stop all this. We want to stop all forms of corruption in our practice as traditional healers.”

He added that they would act against male traditional healers who were having sexual intercourse with their patients and trainees.

“They take advantage of them by telling them it is the instructions of their ancestors. We encourage the community to report the incident to the police and to the relevant traditional healers organisations,” Collins stated.