Confederation of Complementary Health Associations of South Africa (COCHASA)

Confederation of Complementary Health Associations of South Africa (COCHASA)

The Confederation of Complementary Health Associations of South Africa was established in November 1992 by a group of twelve associations in order to:

• Represent the interests and serve the needs of all complementary health associations that promote health and wellness in a non-therapeutic manner
• Promote a wider understanding of complementary approaches to the public
• Develop positive relationships with the government health system, other health professionals, and the public.
• In 2000, COCHASA extended its membership to include individual practitioners as Associate Individual members.

From 2003, COCHASA's mission became focused on serving the needs of those complementary health associations and individual practitioners that promote health and wellness in a non-therapeutic manner.

COCHASA is a fully democratic organisation, its Articles of Association calling for 66% consensus for decision making.

COCHASA seeks every opportunity to consult and co-operate with other bodies, including the Government and Parliament on matters of common interest, such as education and training, standards, recognition, discipline, and legislation.

COCHASA SEEKS TO:

• provide a consultative and advisory service to its members
• facilitate the development of new associations
• encourage new complementary health and wellness approaches
• facilitate networking amongst its members
• provide a database and neutral advisory body for the public
• liaise with and if necessary lobby government bodies in the interests of its members
• gain legislative recognition to serve as the representative organisation for wellness approaches
• contribute to the drawing up of acceptable legislation and to act as a watchdog for legislation which may negatively affect any members