Pretoria - Almost 10 000 healthcare practitioners were suspended from the Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPCSA) register this weekend for failure to pay their annual fees, the council announced on Monday.
The announcement comes after the deadline for payment of annual fees was disregarded despite the council having exhausted all avenues in contacting the practitioners, through letters, telephone calls, sms and notification via professional associations.
The council said that practitioners are required to pay their annual fees on or before 1 April of every year and the money is used by the council to act on its mandate of protecting the public and guiding the professions.
"According to the Health Professions Act, it is a criminal offence to practice any of the health professions under the ambit of the council when suspended or erased from the register," the council said in its statement.
Among the 10 000 healthcare practitioners suspended for failing to comply with the regulations governing the professions are 1 500 medical and dental practitioners and over 6 500 emergency care practitioners who will not be allowed to practice their professions. Almost 600 psychologists were also struck from the register.
The HPCSA called on employers to ensure all practitioners have paid their annual fees and are legally practising their professions.
Practitioners can contact the HPCSA Call Centre on 012 338 9301 or email info@hpcsa.co.za for further information. - SAnews.gov.za
