This conference is presented by HospiVision and is made possible through the support of Grant 63219 from the John Templeton Foundation.
About the Conference
Spirituality and healthcare have historically relied on and supported one another from the earliest times. However, the more western healthcare started to grow into a specialized scientific field, the more problems this relationship experienced, eventually leading to the separation of these two fields. As medical science became increasingly focused on the physical aspects of healing, the holistic approach that once included spiritual care was pushed aside. Consequently, the spiritual support of patients in hospitals has become a much-neglected area in modern western healthcare where the integration of body, mind, and spirit in patient care is often overlooked.
Spirituality is a vital aspect of holistic health care and contributes significantly to the health and wellbeing of patients. This conference will therefore serve to increase collaboration and partnerships between faith communities and health services, as well as among different academic disciplines, with the aim of stimulating new and innovative ideas to face challenges and enable growth in this area. Additionally, the conference will provide a valuable platform for research presentations, where researchers can showcase their latest findings, share evidence-based practices, and discuss cutting-edge research in the field of religion and spirituality in healthcare. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and encouraging the exchange of ideas, this conference will help bridge gaps between theory and practice, ultimately advancing the integration of spiritual care into our healthcare systems.
We will focus on the following Research Questions:
To what extent can spiritual and religious interventions complement conventional medical treatment, influence healthcare outcomes, and impact the holistic well-being of individuals in South Africa.
How can spiritual and religious beliefs, including harmful religious practices and views, influence the experience of illness, and how can a deeper understanding of these dynamics lead to improved patient care and better healthcare outcomes?
How can spiritual education and the personal spirituality of healthcare professionals influence their approach to patient care, and what impact does it have on the effectiveness of spiritual care interventions in healthcare settings?
How can interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare, spirituality, and other fields, enhance the integration of spiritual care practices in healthcare and improve patient outcomes?
Who should attend
This conference is open to all individuals working in, researching, or interested in the intersection of religion and spirituality in healthcare. Whether you are a healthcare practitioner, theologian, researcher, academic, or student, this event offers valuable insights into the integration of religion and spirituality into healthcare. We also welcome policymakers and healthcare administrators who play a role in shaping healthcare systems and policies. Faith-based organizations, community leaders, and anyone passionate about advancing holistic patient care are encouraged to attend. This is an inclusive space for dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of innovative ideas to improve healthcare through the integration of religion and spirituality.
Keynote Speakers
Click + to read more about each speaker
Rev. Prof John Swinton
FBA, FRSE, FISSR, RMN, RNMD
Professor in Practical Theology & Pastoral Care, University of Aberdeen
John Swinton is Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies, at the University of Aberdeen. Before moving into academic theology, he worked for more than a decade as a registered mental health nurse and served as a hospital and community mental health chaplain.
In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen's Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. He has published extensively in the areas of mental health, dementia, disability theology, spirituality and healthcare, end-of-life care, qualitative research, and pastoral care.
His book Finding Jesus in the Storm received the Aldersgate Prize for outstanding interdisciplinary work in theology, and Dementia: Living in the Memories of God won the Archbishop of Canterbury's Ramsey Prize. Alongside his academic work, John is a musician and songwriter. He is married and has five children.
Rev. Prof A. Y. Owusu
Professor of Medical Sociology & Public Health
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana
Adobea Yaa Owusu is a Professor of Medical Sociology and Public Health at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University of Ghana, Legon. She holds a BSc in Home Science (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, an MA in Medical Sociology and a PhD (Medical Sociology, with minors in Public Health and Demography) from the University of North Texas, and an MPH (Health Services Research) from the University of North Texas School of Biomedical Sciences.
Her research focuses on the social and behavioural aspects of health and health services. Her areas of expertise include reproductive health (including adolescents'), public and preventive health, health services research, project and programme monitoring and evaluation, and the social and behavioural aspects of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
She also specialises in gender, behavioural health theories, social change theories, behaviour change communication, health education and communication, operations and formative research, health communications research, health educational materials development, public health, and development studies.
Dr Munya Saruchera
Director & Senior Lecturer
Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management, Stellenbosch University
Dr Munya Saruchera is an experienced facilitator of social processes and researcher with demonstrated competences in critical community development practice, process design and facilitation, social change, emotional literacy, awareness and relational leadership development. He has a deep passion for community and men's work, inner personal development, emotional literacy and relational leadership.
Among other trainings, Munya has undertaken multi-cultural diversity; gender reconciliation; shadow work, meditation, mindfulness; energetic container design, dialogue and group facilitation; personal development; and non-violent communication. He has more than 25 years of professional work experience across different sectors and countries.
Munya studied Political Science (BSc Honours), Policy Studies (Masters) and Sociology (PhD, Stellenbosch University). He is an Ashoka Fellow, a SUNRISE Fellow, and an African Institute of Public Health Professionals (AIPH) Fellow. He also serves as a gender dialogue facilitator on Positive Masculinity and Anti-Gender Based Violence with Stellenbosch University's Equality Unit.
Prof Christo Thesnaar
Professor of Pastoral Care & Counselling
Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University
Christo Thesnaar is a professor of pastoral care and counselling in the discipline group of practical theology and missiology in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University. He holds a BDiac, BTh, MTh and DTh in Practical Theology from UNISA and Stellenbosch University.
Thesnaar is the recipient of visiting scholarships from Friedrich Schiller University, Jena (2017), Regensburg University, Germany (2023), and Europa University in Flensburg (2025). His main research areas are in pastoral care and counselling with a focus on reconciliation, memory, intergenerational trauma, justice, healing, and restitution.
He was a founder member of the Institute for the Healing of Memories in 1998 and currently serves on its board. He also serves as head of the Unit for Reconciliation and Justice at the Beyers Naudé Center for Public Theology. His latest book is On the Significance of Religion for Social Justice (co-written with S. Makanya and M. Maseko, 2026). He holds an NRF ranking and has supervised 20 PhD candidates.
Programme
To be confirmed
Location
Accommodation
Town Lodge Bellville
5 Mispel Rd, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530
https://citylodgehotels.com/our-hotels/Town%20Lodge/88
Fees and Registration
To be announced
Contact us
Tel: 012 3299492
