He was paid R455,000 a year as his basic salary
THE Eastern Cape doctor accused of using fake documents to get a job at a state hospital passed a board examination required by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration to work in the country, the organisation says.
The HPCSA also said the 35-year-old doctor, who was arrested last Wednesday while on duty at the BJ Vorster Hospital in Kareedouw, had verified documentation despite claims by the Hawks that his documents were all clearly fake.
HPCSA acting chief executive Marella O'Reilly said he sat for the board examination in March 2009.
"Foreign practitioners' qualifications are verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. His (doctor's) documents were not regarded as fraudulent and we have resubmitted his qualifications to ECFMG for re-verification purposes."
Asked to explain the vetting process, O'Reilly said the Health Department's Foreign Workforce Management Programme was the first point of contact for any foreign qualified practitioner to obtain a letter of endorsement.
Depending on the agreement with various universities across the globe, the letter from the FWMP would state whether a practitioner could apply to the HPCSA to sit for the board exam or to register directly and under what conditions.
"Should the practitioner be required to sit for a board exam, he or she needs to apply to the HPCSA, with the relevant documentation and required fees.
"Should the practitioner be successful, additional documents are required for registration.
"These include the HPCSA application form, copy of degree or other qualifications, sworn translations in English, documentary proof of internship training or equivalent, verification of credentials, recent certificate of good standing, a copy of their passport and ID and a letter of endorsement (from FWMP).
"The board can request any other information they deem fit."
Scores of angry residents have come forward with complaints about the doctor who began working at the hospital last May. He was arrested last week during a sting operation by the Hawks over five provinces.
Relatives of some residents allegedly died after being treated by him, while others were misdiagnosed with chronic illnesses like cancer.
Provincial health spokesperson Siyanda Manana said the department employed him only after he had been cleared by the HPCSA.
Manana said the department had received some complaints about him - but these only related to his not attending to rape victims.
"He was paid R455,000 a year as his basic salary. We have already issued an order to suspend his salary."
The accused will appear in the Siyabuswa regional court in Mpumalanga again today. - Herald
'Bogus doctor' passed SA board exam
He was paid R455,000 a year as his basic salary
THE Eastern Cape doctor accused of using fake documents to get a job at a state hospital passed a board examination required by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration to work in the country, the organisation says.
The HPCSA also said the 35-year-old doctor, who was arrested last Wednesday while on duty at the BJ Vorster Hospital in Kareedouw, had verified documentation despite claims by the Hawks that his documents were all clearly fake.
HPCSA acting chief executive Marella O'Reilly said he sat for the board examination in March 2009.
"Foreign practitioners' qualifications are verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. His (doctor's) documents were not regarded as fraudulent and we have resubmitted his qualifications to ECFMG for re-verification purposes."
Asked to explain the vetting process, O'Reilly said the Health Department's Foreign Workforce Management Programme was the first point of contact for any foreign qualified practitioner to obtain a letter of endorsement.
Depending on the agreement with various universities across the globe, the letter from the FWMP would state whether a practitioner could apply to the HPCSA to sit for the board exam or to register directly and under what conditions.
"Should the practitioner be required to sit for a board exam, he or she needs to apply to the HPCSA, with the relevant documentation and required fees.
"Should the practitioner be successful, additional documents are required for registration.
"These include the HPCSA application form, copy of degree or other qualifications, sworn translations in English, documentary proof of internship training or equivalent, verification of credentials, recent certificate of good standing, a copy of their passport and ID and a letter of endorsement (from FWMP).
"The board can request any other information they deem fit."
Scores of angry residents have come forward with complaints about the doctor who began working at the hospital last May. He was arrested last week during a sting operation by the Hawks over five provinces.
Relatives of some residents allegedly died after being treated by him, while others were misdiagnosed with chronic illnesses like cancer.
Provincial health spokesperson Siyanda Manana said the department employed him only after he had been cleared by the HPCSA.
Manana said the department had received some complaints about him - but these only related to his not attending to rape victims.
"He was paid R455,000 a year as his basic salary. We have already issued an order to suspend his salary."
The accused will appear in the Siyabuswa regional court in Mpumalanga again today. - Herald
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