Fake doctor nabbed: 50-year-old Pakistani woman practised medicine without qualifications for a decade in Midrand
'INNOCENT LIVES AT RISK'
Authorities arrested a 50-year-old Pakistani woman in Midrand for fraudulently practising medicine without qualifications, raising alarms about the dangers of unregistered medical professionals.
Image: X/JoburgMPD
THE JMPD's Tactical Response Unit has arrested a bogus doctor who admitted to practising medicine for over a decade without proper qualifications.
The 50-year-old Pakistani national was caught red-handed consulting with patients at a Midrand clinic
On Wednesday, the JMPD Tactical Response Unit received information about the woman working at Medical Clinic, South Road in Midrand.
The officers proceeded to the medical clinic, where they found the female suspect actively consulting with two patients.
She was requested to produce relevant documents authorising her to practise medicine, including a valid practice number. The female failed to provide any such documentation.
Upon further questioning, the suspect admitted that she had not completed her medical practitioner studies and did not possess the required qualifications or certificates. She further stated that she had been practising as a medical practitioner for more than ten years without valid documentation.
The officers seized six patients' files, including stationery such as sick notes, prescriptions, and completed eye screening certificates. Prdp certificates and documents with different medical doctors' names were found in her consulting room.
The suspect was arrested for fraud and contravention of the Health Professions Act.
Last year, IOL reported that the Gauteng health department warned community members and healthcare workers to be wary of bogus medical practitioners, after a woman posing as a medical doctor was apprehended at the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.
“Unqualified individuals posing as medical professionals put innocent lives at risk,” said spokesperson for the provincial department, Motalatale Modiba.
“It is a criminal offence for any person to impersonate healthcare professionals and to practice whilst not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.”