Limpopo Health MEC reprimanded for verbally abusin...

Limpopo Health MEC reprimanded for verbally abusing Zim patient

Getting to know Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba – 'I pride myself in the work we do' | Drum — Phophi Ramathuba

Zim Now Writer

Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba was last week reprimanded by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for shouting at a Zimbabwean patient in a Limpopo provincial hospital in August, 2022.

Ramathuba was cited for unprofessional conduct and unbecoming behaviour.

Though Ramathuba was at the hospital in her capacity as a health MEC, and not a practising doctor, she is a medical doctor by profession.

The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, in his capacity as the party’s Limpopo provincial convener, laid a complaint with the HPCSA against Ramathuba, accusing her of violating the dignity and human rights of the patient.

This follows a disturbing video clip which circulated on social media where she is seen belittling and abusing a Zimbabwean patient in Bela-Bela Hospital.

“It is evident on the video that MEC Ramathuba has violated her core ethical values and standards for good practice as outlined by Health Professionals Council of South Africa,” Ndlozi said and quoted the council’s set standards for healthcare practitioners.

These include respect for people.

“Healthcare practitioners should respect patients as people, and acknowledge their intrinsic worth, dignity, and sense of value”, reads the oath.

It also calls on healthcare practitioners not to harm or act against the best interests of patients, even when the interests of the latter conflict with their own self-interest.