Date: 05/12/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Meyer: Western Cape workshop on cooperation between western medicine & traditional healing
ADDRESS BY WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL HEALTH MINISTER, MR PIET MEYER, AT A WORKSHOP OF THE TYGERBERG ACADEMIC HOSPITAL AND THE HOPE ASSOCIATION, ON CO-OPERATION BETWEEN WESTERN MEDICINE AND TRADITIONAL HEALERS, Tygerberg Hospital, 5 December 2003
Rev Hippler, Ambassador Peters, members of the medical profession, traditional healers, ladies and gentlemen
I have noted the impressive array of speakers who will be addressing you on a wide variety of topics relevant to the goal of this workshop namely co-operation between "western medicine" and "traditional healing" in the fields of HIV/AIDS.
I will leave the nitty gritty to the professionals. I would just like to share my views on a few issues with you and how I see the way forward.
First of all the fact that we as proponents of western medicine are sharing a podium with traditional healers, indicates that we have already reached a major milestone on the road to co-operation between two divergent groups - the health professionals from the health sciences on the one hand and our traditional healers on the other.
The buzzword at this workshop is co-operation. I would go further and say it is also recognition of each group's expertise. A workshop that is attended by people worlds apart in the field of medicine is a major step towards bringing these worlds together. And why should they be brought together? Because of the common goal that is the healing of the sick.
It was only a mere three years ago that Rev Hippler, the chairperson of the HOPE Association, was severely criticised for trying to include traditional healers into the rather exclusive sphere of western medicine. After all, it was argued, western doctors are professionals with years of training and study. How can we recognise and embrace traditional healers who have no university training or even formal education?
It is a fact that many people, including those living with HIV and AIDS consult traditional health practitioners and use traditional medicine to meet some of their health needs. National Cabinet said in its operational plan for comprehensive care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS, launched three weeks ago on 19 November, that the traditional health practitioners will be asked to share their experiences in the care of people with AIDS and that they should also serve as a critical resource in providing support and assisting patients to adhere to treatment programmes.
The government also committed itself to upscale research into traditional medicines that may in future render further treatment options.
We know that treatment and care must deal with the physical as well as the emotional and spiritual. Any health intervention must involve the body, soul and spirit of the patient. But none of us has absolute knowledge to discount the value of the various health interventions that are available to "western" medicine or "alternative" medicine. It is therefore not unreasonable to allow people a free choice of what they believe would promote their health status.
The role of traditional healers in certain communities as well as their social standing in those communities, make them ideal partners to assist with health promotion and to ensure better understanding of health conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. In this way patients do not receive mixed messages.
It is clear that we have come a long way in three years. There is now growing mutual respect and recognition for both the western health professionals and the African traditional healers. We may not be there quite yet. There are still those who are unwilling to jump the final hurdle of acceptance. There are still those traditional healers who feel rejected. This may be justified in some instances.
It is, however, important to note that all medicines are registered with the Medicines Control Council and that all professional staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists, etc. are registered with professional statutory bodies.
I believe it is imperative that traditional healers, who wish to practice as such, are also registered. It is important that they are regulated and that their products and ingredients be clearly identified. After all the responsibility and potential risk is carried by the patient.
Regulation is a form of protection for the patient making a free choice between "western" or "alternative" medicine, which minimises exposure to a potential health risk or even possible death. Patients, who have a constitutional right to health services, must therefore be fully informed in order for them to make their choices based on sound information. Regulation is aimed at doing just that.
It is therefore clear that traditional healers need to get themselves organised. There is a need to lay down certain standards and requirements, which in turn need to comply with legal medical principles and requirements. It is not an easy task, but I see it as a challenge, which can be met when there is the will to meet it. This workshop is already an indication that we are moving in the right direction and that there is a will to meet the challenge.
I believe we will be successful. After all we have some heavyweights on our side. The presence of the German Ambassador, Mrs Peters here today, is a reminder of the ties the Western Cape has with the Free State of Bavaria. The co-operation agreement we have with Bavaria since the first protocol was signed in November nearly exactly five years ago, has been given a major boost through significant financial support for the HOPE Association.
* we have the money
* we have the will
* we have the co-operation
* we have the organizations and therefore the hands to do the work
* we also have a common goal.
That is why I believe we will be successful in rolling out a national anti-retroviral treatment programme for all those in need of this powerful medication.
But we also have something else: We have faith.
I addressed people at an AIDS clinic the other day. It was a two-day clinic run by professionals who are all members of a particular church organisation. I told them that government needed the help of especially faith-based organisations, the same as the Hope Association, to re-establish the moral fabric of society. Yes, we must provide treatment to the AIDS victims, but we must also do everything in our power to prevent people from getting AIDS. Re-establishing the moral fabric of society, revisiting the importance of family life and sound values is the foundation of healing.
Religious leaders here today will agree that with our faith and with the will to succeed we can grow. And growth is something wonderful.
It was the well-known theologian Thomas Scott who concluded that growth is the only evidence of life. By growth he means the construction of character
* The capacity to always improve
* To still attain understanding
* To live better, to do better, to be better.
By growth he speaks of that process by which we take blocks of time and, with the mortar of our moral and religious ideals labour to build a structure, before the end of our days in which we may live with dignity. That is growth! And it incorporates such ingredients, as dreams and hopes, perseverance and sacrifice, courage and goodness, self-esteem and the ability to befriend both others and yourself.
* Go ahead and still grow
* Go ahead and grow out, but do not grow old - take along that little child within you
* Go ahead and grow strong, but do not grow bitter
* Go ahead and grow in faith!
May we all, western and traditional healers, be inspired by the words of Scott to co-operate in fighting a joint enemy and reaching a common goal, good health for all.
I thank you.
Enquiries: Joe-Nell Heidmann
Tel: +27(021) 483 5417
Fax: +27(021) 483 4143
E-mail: jheidman@pawc.wcape.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
5 December 2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Meyer: Western Cape workshop on cooperation between western medicine & traditional healing
ADDRESS BY WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL HEALTH MINISTER, MR PIET MEYER, AT A WORKSHOP OF THE TYGERBERG ACADEMIC HOSPITAL AND THE HOPE ASSOCIATION, ON CO-OPERATION BETWEEN WESTERN MEDICINE AND TRADITIONAL HEALERS, Tygerberg Hospital, 5 December 2003
Rev Hippler, Ambassador Peters, members of the medical profession, traditional healers, ladies and gentlemen
I have noted the impressive array of speakers who will be addressing you on a wide variety of topics relevant to the goal of this workshop namely co-operation between "western medicine" and "traditional healing" in the fields of HIV/AIDS.
I will leave the nitty gritty to the professionals. I would just like to share my views on a few issues with you and how I see the way forward.
First of all the fact that we as proponents of western medicine are sharing a podium with traditional healers, indicates that we have already reached a major milestone on the road to co-operation between two divergent groups - the health professionals from the health sciences on the one hand and our traditional healers on the other.
The buzzword at this workshop is co-operation. I would go further and say it is also recognition of each group's expertise. A workshop that is attended by people worlds apart in the field of medicine is a major step towards bringing these worlds together. And why should they be brought together? Because of the common goal that is the healing of the sick.
It was only a mere three years ago that Rev Hippler, the chairperson of the HOPE Association, was severely criticised for trying to include traditional healers into the rather exclusive sphere of western medicine. After all, it was argued, western doctors are professionals with years of training and study. How can we recognise and embrace traditional healers who have no university training or even formal education?
It is a fact that many people, including those living with HIV and AIDS consult traditional health practitioners and use traditional medicine to meet some of their health needs. National Cabinet said in its operational plan for comprehensive care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS, launched three weeks ago on 19 November, that the traditional health practitioners will be asked to share their experiences in the care of people with AIDS and that they should also serve as a critical resource in providing support and assisting patients to adhere to treatment programmes.
The government also committed itself to upscale research into traditional medicines that may in future render further treatment options.
We know that treatment and care must deal with the physical as well as the emotional and spiritual. Any health intervention must involve the body, soul and spirit of the patient. But none of us has absolute knowledge to discount the value of the various health interventions that are available to "western" medicine or "alternative" medicine. It is therefore not unreasonable to allow people a free choice of what they believe would promote their health status.
The role of traditional healers in certain communities as well as their social standing in those communities, make them ideal partners to assist with health promotion and to ensure better understanding of health conditions such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. In this way patients do not receive mixed messages.
It is clear that we have come a long way in three years. There is now growing mutual respect and recognition for both the western health professionals and the African traditional healers. We may not be there quite yet. There are still those who are unwilling to jump the final hurdle of acceptance. There are still those traditional healers who feel rejected. This may be justified in some instances.
It is, however, important to note that all medicines are registered with the Medicines Control Council and that all professional staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists, etc. are registered with professional statutory bodies.
I believe it is imperative that traditional healers, who wish to practice as such, are also registered. It is important that they are regulated and that their products and ingredients be clearly identified. After all the responsibility and potential risk is carried by the patient.
Regulation is a form of protection for the patient making a free choice between "western" or "alternative" medicine, which minimises exposure to a potential health risk or even possible death. Patients, who have a constitutional right to health services, must therefore be fully informed in order for them to make their choices based on sound information. Regulation is aimed at doing just that.
It is therefore clear that traditional healers need to get themselves organised. There is a need to lay down certain standards and requirements, which in turn need to comply with legal medical principles and requirements. It is not an easy task, but I see it as a challenge, which can be met when there is the will to meet it. This workshop is already an indication that we are moving in the right direction and that there is a will to meet the challenge.
I believe we will be successful. After all we have some heavyweights on our side. The presence of the German Ambassador, Mrs Peters here today, is a reminder of the ties the Western Cape has with the Free State of Bavaria. The co-operation agreement we have with Bavaria since the first protocol was signed in November nearly exactly five years ago, has been given a major boost through significant financial support for the HOPE Association.
* we have the money
* we have the will
* we have the co-operation
* we have the organizations and therefore the hands to do the work
* we also have a common goal.
That is why I believe we will be successful in rolling out a national anti-retroviral treatment programme for all those in need of this powerful medication.
But we also have something else: We have faith.
I addressed people at an AIDS clinic the other day. It was a two-day clinic run by professionals who are all members of a particular church organisation. I told them that government needed the help of especially faith-based organisations, the same as the Hope Association, to re-establish the moral fabric of society. Yes, we must provide treatment to the AIDS victims, but we must also do everything in our power to prevent people from getting AIDS. Re-establishing the moral fabric of society, revisiting the importance of family life and sound values is the foundation of healing.
Religious leaders here today will agree that with our faith and with the will to succeed we can grow. And growth is something wonderful.
It was the well-known theologian Thomas Scott who concluded that growth is the only evidence of life. By growth he means the construction of character
* The capacity to always improve
* To still attain understanding
* To live better, to do better, to be better.
By growth he speaks of that process by which we take blocks of time and, with the mortar of our moral and religious ideals labour to build a structure, before the end of our days in which we may live with dignity. That is growth! And it incorporates such ingredients, as dreams and hopes, perseverance and sacrifice, courage and goodness, self-esteem and the ability to befriend both others and yourself.
* Go ahead and still grow
* Go ahead and grow out, but do not grow old - take along that little child within you
* Go ahead and grow strong, but do not grow bitter
* Go ahead and grow in faith!
May we all, western and traditional healers, be inspired by the words of Scott to co-operate in fighting a joint enemy and reaching a common goal, good health for all.
I thank you.
Enquiries: Joe-Nell Heidmann
Tel: +27(021) 483 5417
Fax: +27(021) 483 4143
E-mail: jheidman@pawc.wcape.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
5 December 2003
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