Acting Speaker, the ANC is concerned that state hospitals are being used by doctors to treat their private patients.
At least five doctors at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto and Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria are facing disciplinary action for procuring medicines for private use and for turning away desperately ill patients, falsely claiming that the theatres are booked, to make way for their private patients.
The scam was uncovered when electronic gate-keeping systems were installed at the hospitals and it was found that records did not match the identity of those who had been treated. Appointments for legitimate patients were struck off the waiting list to make way for the doctors' private patients.
Five doctors have already been disciplined, and we are awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary action against the other five doctors identified. Thank you. [Applause.]