Traditional Health Practitioners Council Of South Africa (2024)

Traditional health practitioners (THPs) play an important role in the South African health system. They are responsible for providing a holistic approach to health, which includes traditional healing practices such as herbalism and acupuncture. As the population ages and more people adopt westernized lifestyles, THPs are seeing a rise in demand for their services.

However, this demand is not always being met by the THP community, which has resulted in a number of challenges. In this blog post, we will explore some of these challenges and how you can help support the THP community. From increasing access to training to advocating for their rights, learn what you can do to help them thrive in today’s society.

Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa

The Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPCSA) was founded in 2006 with the objective of uniting and representing the diverse health profession communities. The THPCSA has 167 members which includes traditional healers, herbalists, naturopaths, homeopaths, acupuncturists and other complementary therapists as well as physicians.

The THPCSA is a membership organisation that provides a forum for sharing information, developing mutual understanding and promoting cooperation amongst its members. It provides support to its members through advocacy activities at national and international level including working with government on legislation and regulatory issues affecting the profession.

Purpose of the THPC

The Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPC) is a voluntary organisation established in 1998 with the express purpose of representing and protecting the interests of traditional health practitioners (THPs). THP membership is open to all registered therapists who practise within an indigenous healthcare system, as defined by the National Health Laboratory Service. The THPC is affiliated to the World Health Oragnization and the International Association for Traditional Medicine.

The THPC has been instrumental in lobbying government on behalf of THPs. It has also developed guidelines on professional practice, conducted training programmes for THPs, and represented them at various national and international forums.

Membership of the THPC

The Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPC) is the national body representing traditional health practitioners in South Africa. It was established in 2004 and is a non-profit organisation.

Membership of the THPC is open to all registered traditional health practitioners who are members of a professional association that has been recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The THPC currently has over 1,200 members.

The main purpose of the THPC is to promote and protect the interests of its members. It works towards this by lobbying government and regulatory bodies on their behalf, providing training and development opportunities for its members, and undertaking research into issues related to traditional health practitioners.

The THPC also provides support to its members through a range of services such as advice on statutory requirements, representation at meetings, assistance with registration applications, assistance with dispute resolution and financial assistance. In addition, it operates a complaints handling system which offers member comfort zones when dealing with formal or informal complaints.

The THPC has an active website which provides information about its work and membership benefits.

Structure of the THPC

The Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPC) was established under the auspices of the World Health Oragnization (WHO) in 1989. The mission of the THPC is to represent, protect and promote traditional healers and their work in South Africa.

The THPC membership consists of traditional healers who have been practicing for a minimum of five years. The council has a president, two vice presidents, six secretaries, and 15 members. Members are divided into four geographical regions: North West, North East, Central South, and Southern Cape. Meetings are held twice a year in each region.

The THPC implements WHO’s Traditional Healers Programme which provides training for traditional healers on relevant subjects such as epidemiology, public health, pharmacology and microbiology. In 2000 traditional healers were given the right to practise without prior registration with state health authorities. The THPC has also developed an ethical code of practice to guide its members in their professional activities.

Regulatory Framework for Traditional Health Practitioners in South Africa

Traditional health practitioners in South Africa are regulated by the Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPCSA). The THPCSA was established in 1998 and is a statutory body under Section 27 of the Traditional Healers Act, 1998.

The THPCSA regulates the competency and registration of traditional health practitioners. It enforces standards of practice and conducts research into traditional healing. The THPCSA registers and certifies traditional health practitioners who meet stringent criteria. Only registered and certified traditional health practitioners can provide services to the public.

The THPCSA has two main functions: to prescribe standards of professional practice for traditional healers, and to investigate complaints against them. It also provides training and support for new traditional health practitioners, as well as funding for research into traditional healing.

Functions of the THPC

The Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa (THPC) is a professional body that represents the interests of traditional health practitioners in South Africa. The THPC provides services related to education, research and development, information technology and regulation. It also assists its members in the formulation and implementation of policies and legislation affecting their profession.

As a organization, our goal is to work collaboratively with other health professionals in order to improve the quality of care that we provide to our patients. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the best possible healthcare. I hope that you have found this article informative and that it will help you understand more about what we do and how we can help you.