Rogue doctors must pay

DOCTORS in South Africa have traditionally enjoyed a high social status, regard and esteem conferred on them by society, and in most cases for good reason too.

Members of the public see them as role models – highly trained professionals who use their years of experience, knowledge and skills to perform functions which enhance human health and are vital to society.

People not only trust and respect their diagnosis and judgement on matters medical, but also have high expectations of their ethical and moral obligations.

While the majority of our medical professionals do try to live up to these expectations, there are many “rotten apples” who are giving the profession a bad name.

Take the example of the Durban doctors who were recently found guilty of fraud by the Health Professionals Council of SA because the false claims they submitted amounted to theft from medical aid funds.

Their criminal actions also impact on thousands of hard-pressed medical scheme members who ultimately foot the bill by paying higher monthly instalments for their health care.

But what is particularly galling is that these thieves bearing stethoscopes have been allowed to get away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist for their fraudulent behaviour.

Most of these crooked doctors ended up paying lenient fines of R20 000, which is absolute chicken feed to them, no more than a morning’s takings on a bad Saturday. As one senior executive of a medical aid scheme says: “The problem with a fine as the only penalty or consequence is that it may not stop them.

“If they are caught and only have to pay a small penalty, why should they stop?”

These corrupt doctors need to be taught a lesson and the answer lies in penalties that will act as a serious deterrent against such unlawful behaviour.

If companies like Discovery Health are saying it recovers more than R400 million a year in fraudulent claims, surely the time has come for stiffer fines, criminal charges, suspensions from practice or even being struck off the roll, especially in cases of multiple offences.

A small minority of doctors are tarnishing the image and good reputation of a vital public service and profession, and should not be allowed to do so.

We can make a start by naming and shaming the culprits.

We need doctors who are role models, not rogue models.