Fake doctor worked 5 years at Bara Hospital

21 May 2015

A fake doctor worked at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for more than five years before his false qualification was detected.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mahlangu, Dr JM Albuquerque worked at the hospital from 1 March 2007 to 28 June 2012.

I am astonished that he got away with this for so long.

In another case of false qualifications, Dr NW Katumba worked at Bara hospital for more than a year, from 15 November 2010 to 2 December 2011.

One more case is currently being investigated of a doctor who worked at the now defunct Charles Hurwitz TB Hospital.

The Department says that they rely on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to verify qualifications for Health Professionals.

No complaints were received concerning treatment by the fake doctors at Bara, but I am concerned that patients could have died or been injured by them.

More controls are needed to ensure that all medical qualifications are checked stringently.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, May 21 2015