JOHANNESBURG - The Health Professions Council has had joint inspections conducted with police that have led to the arrest of several individuals posing as qualified doctors.
Health Professions Council of South Africa’s Eric Mphaphuli said some of those found were previously suspended from practice.
“We have been conducting this joint operation with the members of the police service and where a number of people have been arrested.
“For the last year, almost 25 people who are registered have been arrested and prosecuted by the police. So this is an ongoing initiative to try to protect the public against unregistered people.
“There are those who are not registered with the Health Profession Council who have no training or qualification, but they still go and treat members of the public, patients and arrest them.
“We also have those who perform this illegal abortion. But we also have those who may have once registered, but for one other reason, then they become suspended by the Health Professions Council,” Mphaphuli said.