Dr Lindiwe Gumede is head of department, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg.
South Africans are often reminded that the country has committed itself to building a more equitable healthcare system, as part of recognising and preserving indigenous knowledge.
However, the reality in healthcare centres, including public hospitals and clinics, shows a different picture. Often, the issue isn't with the health practitioners but with patients.
Take this scenario, for instance. A patient arrives at a public hospital with worsening symptoms. The physician asks about prescription medicines, allergies, and previous illnesses. The patient answers every question except one: She has been taking traditional medicine for weeks before seeking hospital care. But she was not asked about it and therefore remained silent.
This silence, or non-disclosure, is more common than many people realise, and it has far-reaching implications for patient safety and quality of care. This silence occurs not because patients want to mislead their physicians; rather, they fear being judged, dismissed, or told to stop using a practice that is deemed alien. This is despite the use of traditional medicine being part of their family and community practices for generations, and the government having committed to promoting the practice.
