Sangomas to sign sick notes

2003-10-29 18:08

Cape Town - Traditional healers will soon be able to issue medical certificates to employees for purposes of sick leave, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) said on Wednesday.

Commenting on the draft Traditional Health Practitioners Bill, tabled earlier this week in parliament, LSSA chair Jan Stemmet said registered healers would have the right to issue such certificates once the legislation was enacted.

The measure is expected to be dealt with by parliament early next year.

According to an attached memorandum, the bill, among other things, aims to "control and regulate traditional health practice", and provide for the registration of "traditional health practitioners" through a specially-established council.

Stemmet said current legislation stipulated that a medical certificate for purposes of paid sick leave could be issued and signed by a doctor or "any other person who is certified to diagnose and treat patients, and who is registered with a professional council established by an act of parliament".

He said a traditional healer, registered with the council as proposed in the new bill, would meet this requirement.

"(They) will be able to issue a valid medical certificate stating that an employee is unable to work on account of sickness or injury," Stemmet said in a statement.

However, it appeared registered traditional healers would not be able to issue certificates for maternity leave. Only a registered doctor or midwife could do this.

Stemmet said his society advised employers to check whether a traditional healer was registered with the new council before accepting such a medical certificate.

"Presumably, certified healers will be issued with registration numbers," he said.

- SAPA