title: The decolonialisation of medicine in South Africa: Threat or opportunity?
abstract: The South African Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 is now fait accompli. The Act has been promulgated and the Department of Health (DoH) is proceeding with its implementation. An Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council and a dedicated DoH deputy director have been appointed, the appointment of a registrar is being finalised, and the DoH has conducted a roadshow to introduce the Act and its implications to groups of traditional health practitioners (THPs) countrywide. The objective is eventual formalisation and professionalisation of THP practice to provide appropriate primary healthcare services through co-operation with biomedical service providers. Biomedical practitioners should understand the provisions of Act 22, and how this may affect their own practices.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Applied Ethics, Department of Philosophy, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa. malcolmderoubaix@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Roubaix
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D033161:Government Regulation; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods*; D013019:South Africa