Nurses as advocates between western and traditional wealth practices in RSA

Abstract

The RSA, like most African countries, have two health care systems. The most visible one is the Westernised hospital and/or clinic based treatment of diseases. This system was introduced by the colonisers and perpetuated by the current formal education programmes of most health care professionals in the RSA. Traditional African medicine has existed since time immemorial and continues to treat vast numbers of people. Both these health care systems will be briefly discussed. Then the role ofnurses in the RSA's health care system(s) will be examined. Most professional nurses are knowledgeable about both Western and Traditional health care systems, and can thus serve as advocates between the Western health care system (frequently provided by foreigners), and the traditional healer(s) as well as to the patients/clients, together with their families. Although all health care providers need to assume responsibility for providing comprehensive health care, the professional nurses in the RSA seem to occupy the pivotal position in the health care system, to be able to co-ordinate all available health care services to the benefit of the clients and the country. However, only nurses who are knowledgeable about these prospects and who are sufficiently empowered to make and implement meaningful decisions, will be able to succeed in providing the best possible accessible and acceptable health care services to the largest number of clients - to the ultimate benefit of the entire country. This abstract was translated into English by the publisher or author.