A. ASSAf Consensus Study Reports

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http://197.189.226.18//handle/20.500.11911/15

About this Collection

In order for ASSAf to fulfil its science advisory role regarding key challenges facing the nation, a variety of consensus and assessment studies are undertaken. Activities are aligned closely with government’s strategic goals. The in-depth Consensus Study Reports are either commissioned by an external funder or generated by a Standing Committee on a specific topic. ASSAf has Standing Committees on Health; Scholarly Publishing in South Africa; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Biosafety and Biosecurity; Humanities; and Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality.

Peer-Review Status: Peer-Reviewed

Enquiries: Susan Veldsman

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    Science action plan for shale gas exploration in the Karoo Basin
    (Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE)
    This document presents the response of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) to a request submitted by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for a Science Action Plan (SAP) in support of an emerging shale gas industry in South Africa. As proposed in the DSI Concept Note, a researcher was engaged to develop the draft document, which was compiled jointly by ASSAf and SAAE. The report has clustered the SAP proposals into three groups:
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    Mental health and the role of traditional healers
    (Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
    The provision of treatment, care and rehabilitation services for people with Mental, Neurological and Substance use (MNS) disorders is a multisectoral responsibility and affects various communities in South Africa and other challenged economies in Africa. MNS disorders are common, often disabling and associated with increasing premature mortality. Traditional healers have a unique role to play in MNS disorders especially in resource-limited settings. It was estimated that there are about 200,000 traditional healers as compared to 975 registered psychiatrists - who mostly practise in urban areas and the private sector. Traditional healers are highly accessible and accepted as health practitioners in Sub-Saharan countries. Traditional healers and those linked to faith-based organisations play a significant role in providing services for people with MNS disorders and are often an entry point into systems of care. These providers, therefore, could play a significant role in identifying people with such disorders, and in some cases, have worked co-operatively with health services in providing for the mental health and spiritual needs of individuals. There is a need to understand the role of traditional health practitioners in mental health care. This webinar sought to understand the role, knowledge, attitude, and practice of traditional healers in mental health care with the aim of encouraging their participation in terms of the treatment, care and rehabilitation of people with MNS disorders.
©The Author/Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)