Johannesburg – A woman pretending to be a medical doctor was arrested at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) after demanding payment of R700 to “assist” a patient.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) on Monday warned the public against falling prey to bogus healthcare practitioners lurking at public hospitals, where they ask for money to offer their “services”.
The warning comes after the person impersonating a medical doctor was arrested Sunday night, (25 February 2024).
Narrating events leading to the arrest, GHoD said the would-be victim became suspicious when the “doctor”, who was wearing green scrubs with the name “Dr. Zulu” imprinted on the uniform, advised her to meet her at the CHBAH pedestrian gate, where the said payment was to be made.
The would-be victim, who was escorting a patient, notified security personnel of her suspicions regarding Dr. Zulu’s request for payment to be made at the gate.
Gauteng Department of Health Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said Security personnel eventually apprehended the bogus doctor at the hospital’s pedestrian gate.
“When asked to produce her Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registration number and a persal number by the security and facility management, the bogus doctor was unable to do so,” said Modiba.
“The CHBAH team has since opened a case at Diepkloof Police Station.
“The bogus doctor spent a night in custody and was due to appear at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court this afternoon.”
In light of the incident that led to an arrest, the GDoH urged the public to be vigilant by not falling for such scams.
“Healthcare workers in the facilities will never ask members of the public to pay them directly,” explained Modiba.
“If there are any fees payable in the hospital, this will be done at patient administration and an invoice will be issued to indicate exactly what the patient is paying for.”
