Pretoria – Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo has welcomed the arrest of two health officials who are suspected of selling Antiretroviral (ARV) medication to patients at Esselen Clinic in Hillbrow.
The two men, who are facing charges of theft and possession of prescribed medicine, will appear at Hillbrow Magistrate Court on Thursday.
They were arrested following a six month investigation resulting from a tip-off by one of the clinic’s patients.
According to the department, patients would go to the clinic to collect their ARVs but be told that the clinic was running out of drugs. The officials would allegedly then persuade them to meet them in parks and restaurants to they would offer to sell the drugs at prices ranging from R50 to R100.
“ARV treatment is free to all patients in public health institutions. No one should be made to pay for them. Such incidents are alarming and cannot be allowed to continue. We urge community members to assist the department as well as the police in fighting this scourge,” said the MEC.
Papo encouraged patients to speak out if they were not happy with the quality of care or service they received.
Patients can lodge a complaint with the complaints manager based at all hospitals, the hospital Chief Executive Officer or Facility Managers in clinics and community health centres.
They can call also call the gauteng provincial hotline number 0860 0428 8364 or email hotline@gauteng.gov.za.
“All reported cases will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action will be taken against any healthcare worker who will be found to have treated patients inhumanly. Knowing the challenges in facilities also helps when improvement plans are drawn as those areas of concern are prioritised,” said Papo. – SAnews.gov.za
