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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:A suggested way forward for the integration of South Africa's health care systems
Author:Ingle, MarkISNI
Year:2009
Periodical:Africanus (ISSN 0304-615X)
Volume:39
Issue:2
Pages:54-65
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:health policy
traditional medicine
health care
Abstract:This article assesses the desirability and feasibility of an integrated national health care system for South Africa. In doing so it presents arguments both for and against the integration of traditional healing with the formal biomedical model. Although fully integrated systems of health care exist in Asia, African countries have yet to progress beyond the 'inclusive' phase. There are many arguments both for and against full integration. All attempts at eradicating traditional healing in Africa have failed, such is the trust reposed in this sector by the general populace. Traditional practitioners, if fully embraced by the health system, could help free up resources within the understaffed biomedical sector. But de facto integration poses formidable institutional challenges and it is not clear that South Africa has reached the stage where it has the implementational wherewithall to introduce such a system. This article maintains that instead of formally instituting an integrated system, by fiat as it were, South Africa should allow its de jure inclusivist approach to mature, and to develop organically in the direction of full integration. Bibliogr., note, sum. [Journal abstract]
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