Medical Assistance Program (MAP)
MAP exists to provide education, shared experience, and peer support in a safe and respectful environment. These guidelines are here to protect you, other members, and the integrity of the community.
1. What MAP is (and is not)
MAP is a space for:
• Learning
• Support
• Shared personal experience
MAP is not a place for:
• Personalised medical advice
• Diagnosis or treatment decisions
All medical decisions must be discussed with your treating healthcare professionals.
2. Sharing responsibly
You are welcome to share your experiences, thoughts, and questions. When doing so, please keep the following in mind:
Please do not post:
• Medical records, laboratory results, imaging, or referral letters
• Identity numbers, medical aid numbers, or contact details
• Screenshots of clinical correspondence
• Information about other patients without their consent
Even with good intentions, sharing identifiable information can place you or others at risk.
3. Respect and safety
This community includes people at different stages of illness, recovery, and coping.
Please:
• Be respectful and kind
• Avoid judgement, pressure, or fear-based statements
• Do not minimise or dismiss others’ experiences
• Avoid absolute statements about outcomes or treatments
Disagreement is allowed. Disrespect is not.
4. Medical discussions
You may:
• Share general experiences
• Discuss side effects in broad terms
• Ask general questions
You may not:
• Tell others what treatment they should or should not receive
• Interpret test results for others
• Present yourself as a healthcare professional unless explicitly authorised
Posts that cross into personalised medical advice may be removed for safety reasons.
5. User-generated content
MAP does not verify or endorse user-generated content.
• Posts reflect personal experiences and opinions
• What works for one person may not apply to another
Use your own judgement and always consult your healthcare team when making decisions.
6. Moderation
MAP moderators aim to keep the platform safe and supportive.
Moderators may:
• Remove content that poses privacy, safety, or legal risks
• Edit or anonymise posts where appropriate
• Restrict or suspend access if necessary
Moderation is applied carefully and with respect for the community.
7. Reporting concerns
If you see content that:
• Feels unsafe
• Violates these guidelines
• Exposes personal information
Please use the reporting function or contact the MAP team.
8. Your control
You may:
• Edit or delete your own posts
• Request removal or anonymisation of content
• Close your account at any time
Requests can be made via privacy@medicalassistanceprogram.co.za.
9. Final note
MAP is built on trust, empathy, and shared humanity.
Help us protect this space — for yourself and for others.