Conflict, Complicity, and Challenges: Reflections on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission Health Sector Hearing.

Abstract

This article describes the work of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in examining the role of the health sector in human rights violations in the protracted conflicts during apartheid. The enabling legislation contained in the Promotion of National Healing and Reconciliation Act of 1995 allowed for in-depth examination of violations and complicity in human rights abuses. We provide an overview of the process of the public hearings, soliciting submissions, examining evidence of abuse, personal testimony of conflict in situations of dual accountability, and ultimately the recommendations made by the TRC. The article also outlines the responses of various health professional training institutions to the TRC's recommendations, the implementation of university health and human rights courses, and some current challenges post-TRC. The health sector hearings of the TRC provided a window into the structural unequal access, racial discrimination, prejudice, and abuse in the health services under the apartheid regime. Examination of past violations perpetrated by an abusive regime and by those such as health workers operating in such a system is imperative to ensure that these abuses are not repeated in the future. In delivering comprehensive, compassionate, and ethical care, healthcare professionals have accountability to respect and promote the human rights of their patients. Training in human rights and its relationship to health should be incorporated into all health professional programs.