Ethical Issues Relating to Faith Healing Practices in South Asia: A Medical Perspective

Abstract

Despite growing access to modern medicine, faith healing practices still continue to be prevalent in South Asia. Faith healing practices include a wide range of activities like performing elaborate rituals, recommending amulets, suggestion for wearing specific rings, branding with rods, chaining in temples, exorcism of jinn and ghosts, animal sacrifices and others. In this paper, faith healing practices are evaluated on the principles of medical ethics using specific examples. The principle of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice are explored. The authors draw inference that while some practices may be unacceptable and should be curtailed, the overall institution of faith healing might be useful for some people.