sector skills plan for the health sector in south africa

SADTC controls all matters relating to the education and training of technicians and technologists and
their practices in the supplying, making, altering or repairing of artificial dentures or other dental
appliances or any other work pertaining to such dentures or appliances. 16
g) The Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa
The Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (ITHPCSA) is a statutory body
established to regulate the registration, training and practices of traditional health practitioners and
students engaged in learning in that field. 17 Traditional health practice involves the performance of a
function, activity, process or service based on a traditional philosophy and uses indigenous African
techniques, principles, medication and practice. 18 Every person who renders services as a traditional
health practitioner will be required to register as such. Different categories of practitioners will register
with the Council, including herbalists (izinyanga or amaxhwele), diviners (izangoma or amagqirha),
traditional surgeons (iingcibi) and traditional birth attendants (ababelethisi or abazalisi). Spiritual or
faith healers are not included in the Traditional Health Practitioners Act. 19
Among the objects of the ITHPCSA are to promote public health awareness, ensure quality of services,
and to promote and maintain appropriate ethical and professional standards in the practice of
traditional health and medicine. The interim council is further required to promote and develop interest
in the field by encouraging research, education and training.
It is estimated that there were about 190000 traditional health practitioners in South Africa in 2007. 20
At present the traditional healers operate outside a regulated environment and they do not form part of
the formal public or private health service. However, the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) of
South Africa, which claims membership of 29000 traditional healers, issues certificates of competence to
practitioners who have completed training and passed assessment of ethical, safe, hygienic and
competent practice. The Natural Healers Association (NHA) estimates that there are 280000 natural
healers who include professionals and practitioners with training in western medicine, traditional,
indigenous, Eastern, African and European practices, as well as spiritual healing. The National Health Act
(NHA) seeks accreditation for training in natural healing with the Services Seta. 21
2.4.2 ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
A number of institutions conducting research in human and animal health and the socio-economic
impact of disease play a prominent role in the health sector. In addition to their research activities,
16 Established by the Dental Technicians Act, 19 of 1979. http://www.dentasa.org.za/documents/benefits.html; http://uscdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/01519_dentaltechnamendact24.pdf.
(Accessed August 2010).
17 Although the Traditional Health Practitioners Act, 22 of 2007 was enacted in Parliament, it has not come into operation. The
date of its commencement will be published in the Government Gazette.
18 Section 1 of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007.
19 Peltzer, K. 2009. “Traditional health practitioners in South Africa”. Lancet. 19 September 2009. Vol.374. Published at
http://www.thelancet.com. (Accessed August 2010).
20 Peltzer, K. 2009. “Traditional health practitioners in South Africa”. Lancet. 19 September 2009. Vol.374. Published at
http://www.thelancet.com. (Accessed August 2010).
21 Natural Healers Association. 2010. Published at http://www.naturalhealersassociation.co.za/who.htm. (Accessed August
2010)
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