There have been 62 unregistered “healthcare practitioners” arrested in South Africa this past year, of which six came from the Western Cape, reports IOL. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is deeply concerned about the high number.
“The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) notes with grave concern the continuing trend by registered practitioners who employ unregistered locums to work in their practices. The HPCSA and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to ensure that they eradicate the illegal healthcare practice of bogus healthcare practitioners,” reads a statement from the HPCSA.
A fake doctor in Kraaifontein was arrested earlier this month. Kishule Prosper Bataciramwira (45) was arrested in Kraaifontein after he was found operating from the Dr ECA Mensah Practice without being registered with the Council.
“The HPCSA’s Inspectorate Office in Cape Town collaborated with the Kraaifontein SAPS in conducting an inspection at the practice of Mensah in Kraaifontein. The team found Bataciramwira practicing as a medical doctor and consulting with patients while not registered with Council. Bataciramwira was arrested and detained at the Kraaifontein SAPS,” the HPCSA says.
The HPCSA’s Inspectorate Office continues to conduct random and planned operations with other law enforcement agencies throughout the country to ensure that healthcare professionals comply with the Health Professions Act.
Practising whilst not registered with the Council is constituted as a criminal offence according to the Health Professions Act and bogus practitioners who are found to be practising without registering with Council will face the full might of the law, explains the HPCSA.
Members of the community are encouraged to continue to report any suspected illegal practices by unregistered persons. To provide tip-offs, please contact the HPCSA at 012 338 9300/1 or [email protected].
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