Doctor fired for fleecing patient of R3000

28 November 2012 - 02:06 By Sapa
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File photo.
File photo.
Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

A Doctor has been fired from Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, on the grounds that he charged a pensioner R3000 for an operation normally performed free at public health facilities.

The Gauteng department of health said yesterday the pensioner consulted Dr D Soma at a private clinic but that the doctor removed the cataract at the state hospital.

In an unrelated matter, five operations at Chris Hani-Baragwanath had to be cancelled because the doctor concerned had failed to turn up because he was, allegedly, working at a private hospital.

The department said it was investigating the allegations.

The police are also investigating four pharmacy employees who allegedly stole medicine from the hospital.

One of them was said to have been caught trying to smuggle R200000 worth of medication through the hospital gates.

Another pharmacy assistant and a pharmacist were being investigated for allegedly handling medicines improperly.

"A clerk has taken his case to arbitration after being dismissed for allegedly defrauding members of the public by promising them employment at the hospital," the department said.

It was alleged that the man had accumulated R398000 through the scam.

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