JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has sounded the alarm over the escalating number of fraudulent medical practitioners operating across the nation, a development that poses a significant threat to public health and undermines trust in the medical profession.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the Health Minister confirmed the arrest of 20 fake doctors, including one who had practiced medicine without a license for a decade in Midrand. SAMA has been vocal in its concerns, noting that unregistered medical practitioners not only pose a risk to public health but also erode the credibility of the medical profession.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) faces resource constraints, which hinder its ability to inspect healthcare facilities and ensure practitioners are registered.
The presence of unregistered medical practitioners is a clear violation of South African law, which stipulates that only properly trained and officially registered individuals can practice medicine. Despite this, the HPCSA is tackling the challenge of identifying and apprehending fake doctors, a task complicated by the increasing sophistication of those committing the fraud. Patients are advised to request healthcare practitioners’HPCSA registration numbers and practice numbers, verifying these details on the HPCSA website.
This proactive approach from patients could help in identifying fake doctors and preventing harm to the public.
The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat the problem of fake doctors, which includes bolstering the HPCSA’s resources, enhancing public awareness, and ensuring that there are consequences for those engaging in fraudulent medical practices.
The fight against fake doctors is a critical matter of public health and trust in the healthcare system.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Nokuthula Khanyile
