Cape Town – The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has expressed concern about the growing number of illegal doctors in the country.
This followed a crackdown by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
According to eNCA, Health Minister Joe Phaahla confirmed that 124 fake doctors have been arrested.
The minister said these unregistered doctors were particularly prevalent in the private sector.
Phaahla said individuals avoided the system by either accepting cash payments or working in the practices of registered doctors in the private sector, IOL reported.
He said that operating in the medical sector without the necessary approvals from the HPCSA was illegal.
To tackle this problem, the council has established an inspectorate office to crack down on fake doctors.
“Section 17 of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974) makes registration with the council a prerequisite to practise any health professions registrable in terms of the act and practising while not registered amounts to a criminal offence.
“According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa, 124 persons have been arrested for practising medicine without registration with the HPCSA,” the report quoted Phaahla saying while responding to a written parliamentary question from Vuyo Zungula of the ATM.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
