The New Age reports that false medical certificates issued by corrupt doctors are costing the economy dearly and have resulted in an investigation by the Health Professions Medical Council of SA (HPCSA).
The HPCSA confirmed that it was investigating 50 doctors for issuing fraudulent sick notes. Occupational Care SA (Ocsa) estimates that the issuing of fraudulent medical certificates is costing R12bn annually due to illness-related absenteeism from work. Gauteng leads in sick note fraud with 25 doctors under investigation, while the Western Cape has 19 cases and KwaZulu-Natal has three. Ocsa data also shows that on average between 15% and 30% of staff are absent on any given day. In its estimation two-thirds of employees who fail to show up at work are not physically ill. A first-offender doctor found guilty of issuing false sick notes is liable to pay a R10,000 fine by the HPCSA for each fraudulent note. In addition, they would be criminally charged.
- Read this report by Mthokozisi Dube in full at The New Age
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