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Joint Media Statement by SMU and M5 MediGroup on matters relating to herbal mixture for COVID-19
Media Statement
08 February 2021
For Immediate Release
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is the only dedicated health sciences university in the country. The University recognizes and respects the importance of indigenous knowledge systems and the role of traditional medicine in our health care system. Furthermore, the University values coordinated efforts in response to pandemics, including the response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. SMU is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards and in promoting excellence in all research collaborations and partnerships, remain paramount.
During 2020, the University was approached by M5 MediGroup – a group of traditional health practitioners, to test the safety and efficacy of an herbal product prepared by M5 MediGroup and presented as a potential “alternative remedy” for SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 infection. During January 2021, a formal collaboration was established with the M5 MediGroup and the group handed over samples of their herbal product to SMU, with the understanding that the University will follow all its ethical clearance processes to scientifically evaluate the herbal mixture for safety and efficacy.
However, it was recently reported in the press that the M5 MediGroup (Traditional Practitioners) had administered their herbal product to more than 500 COVID-19 patients from Rustenburg, Soweto, Boksburg and Limpopo and received positive feedback from their patients thereof. In the light of the above, the University and the M5 MediGroup (Traditional Practitioners) saw it fit to clarify that the process to administer the herbal product had occurred prior to the establishment of the relationship between the University and the M5 MediGroup and was done within the scope of the practice of the group of traditional health practitioners.
Within the existing partnership to test the group’s observational findings, the understanding between the two parties is that the University would develop research protocols to be approved by the SMU Research Ethics Committee (SMUREC) for testing the herbal product. Furthermore, that the University will only administer the herbal remedies or products to patients once safety has been proven and efficacy subsequently established. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) would also have to approve the tested product before further distribution.
The University will continue to work with M5 MediGroup in promoting indigenous knowledge systems using best practices. History was indeed made when the Traditional practitioners joined hands with the scientists at SMU through the aforementioned relationship committing to contributing to solving the biggest health challenge we have faced in our time. We hereby give assurance to the public that once the University has completed these tests, a comprehensive scientific report will be provided.
***End of Joint Statement***
Issued by following by: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and M5 MediGroup
Enquiries: Prof M Seheri – Director Research and Postgraduate Studies – SMU
Cell: 082 748 8389
Enquiries: Mogale Mogale Spokesperson – M5-MediGroup
Cell: 082 620 5123
Download Statement SMU and M5 MediGroup on matters relating to herbal mixture for COVID-19
2020 End of Year Assessments: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students
At its meeting held on 19 January 2021, the Executive Committee of Senate (acting on behalf of the Senate) has decided as follows:
1 Final end-of year assessments
1.1 All final year students will sit for summative assessments (end-of year examinations) as indicated in the final examination timetable already published. In making this decision, the ECS took a view that these are final “high stakes” assessments, which will enable the students to demonstrate the competencies, programme requirements and critical learning outcomes achieved at the end of a learning cycle.
1.2 All post-graduate students (e.g. Honours, MMED, MPH, etc.) will sit for summative assessments/end of year examinations as per the final examination timetable released.
1.3 Similarly, the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) IV students will (although not final year students) also sit for summative assessments (end-of year examinations) as indicated in the final examination timetable. The view was informed by the reality that the design of the BDS curriculum is of such a nature that students are only assessed summatively at the end of 4th year of their programme. Seeing that there will be no end of year examination opportunity at year level V of BDS in 2021, the ECS resolved that these students should also sit for summative assessment/end of year examination in 2020. Simply put, the 4th year BDS end of year examination are also “high stake” assessments.
1.4 All students in the School of Pharmacy (BPharm I, II and III) will sit for end of year assessments as arranged. This decision was taken on the recommendation of the professional body, and the Problem Based Learning nature of the curriculum.
1.5 Students enrolled for clinical modules will also sit for end of year assessments as per the timetable published by their Schools.
1.6 The University General Rules; Schools Rules and Programme Rules relating to assessments, including end of year assessments (including standard summative, supplementary summative assessments, sub-minimum requirements), will apply in full.
2 Modules exempted from end of year assessments
2.1 The following categories of students enrolled for modules linked to the programmes indicated below will be exempted for final end-of year examinations if they obtain an average mark of 60% and above. Students will be deemed to have passed the module if they obtain an average formative assessment mark of 60% and above:
BSC I and II (including BSC ECP I, II & III)
Bachelor of Speech, Language Pathology and Audiology I, II & III
Bachelor of Nursing I, II and III
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) I, II & III
Bachelor of Science (Dietetics), I, II & III
Bachelor of Dental Surgery I, II and III
Bachelor of Oral Hygiene I & II
Bachelor of Dental Therapy I & II
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, I, II & III
2.2 Students enrolled for programme listed under 2.1 above, who obtain an average formative assessment mark of 40% to 59% will qualify to sit for a once-off supplementary formative assessment opportunity.
2.3 In order to pass a module after sitting for a supplementary formative assessment referred to under 2.2 above, a student must obtain a final mark of 50% and above, but the final mark to be reflected on the academic transcript will be limited to 50%.
2.4 Students enrolled for any of the modules for the programmes listed under 2.1, who obtain a mark of 0 to 49% after sitting for a supplementary formative assessment will be deemed to have failed a module.
2.5 Students who obtain an average formative assessment mark of 0% to 39% will be deemed to have summarily failed the module, and no further assessment opportunity will be granted.
2.6 No clinical modules will be exempted for end of year examinations, irrespective of the programme or year level.
2.7 For modules, other than clinical modules, linked to programmes referred to under 2.1, a subminimum mark of 40% will not apply.
2.8 The ECS further emphasized that these exemption decisions will only apply to the 2020 end of year examinations. All other General and School Rules will apply for the 2021 academic year, including for both formative and summative assessments.
The decisions related to exemptions from examinations (detailed under paragraph 2) do not apply to any of the undergraduate programmes offered in the School of Medicine, as a similar dispensation was already decided for those students in 2020. More information on the implementation of the decisions as indicated above can be obtained from the relevant Schools.
We call upon all students and staff to implement the decisions above. In a similar vein, we call upon all the University stakeholders, including the SRC to disseminate these decisions as correctly as reflected in this communique.
Yours sincerely
DR JM MABELEBELE
REGISTRAR
(sent out electronically and therefore unsigned)
Download 2020 End of Year Assessments: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students
Prof Honey Mabuza elected President of the College of Family Physicians of SA
Prof Honey Mabuza, the newly elected President of the College of Family Physicians, pledges to steer the noble profession with integrity and transparency to enable it to reach a higher level. This is the legacy that he wishes to leave, after his three-year term of office, ends in 2023.
Elected through a secret ballot process, by family physicians, Prof Mabuza brings health care expertise and a wealth of experience in health care to the profession. He completed Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor Surgery (MBChB) and a Master’s degree in Family Medicine (M Fam Med), at SMU.
He has a wealth of experience as a clinician, working at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and (DGMAH) and a senior lecturer at SMU. Not satisfied with healing the bodily ills and aches, Mabuza also administers to the spiritual needs as a pastor during the weekends. He is a holder of Bachelor of Theology degree (BTh) obtained from UNISA.
“I will put what I am gifted with, on the table, and therefore, uniquely, contribute in the wellness and moving the college from strength to strength” he pledges. Prof Mabuza will preside over a twelve-member council which was elected by family physicians. The twelve then elect a three-member executive, namely, the president, the secretary and the senator. His peers found him worthy of their votes, for which he is eternally grateful.
Among others, his duties involve representing the interests of family physicians at the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), which is an umbrella body of all speciality colleges, in SA. He will also convene meetings of the college council at least once a year, acts as an adviser to the President CMSA, Senate and CMSA Officers, provide an annual college report for publication in the CMSA platforms and revise the panel of examiners of the college examinations triennially, for the guidance of the Examinations and Credentials Committee.
Family medicine, which is considered a cornerstone of primary health care, is a medical speciality that is dedicated to the provision of comprehensive health care to all people, of all ages.
He takes the torch of leadership at a very challenging time when the whole world is grappling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is mindful of this and other challenges in the health care industry. He is however unfazed by these challenges. “My leadership will not be a one man show”, as I have a collective of leaders in their own right whose opinions will be valued and that will go a long way to enable the college to overcome any challenges.
By Maditsi Matlala