It is a cognisant fact that some medical practitioners in Namibia are engaging in fraudulent billing and overcharging their patients, especially those that are carrying Medical Aid cards.

Therefore I am appealing to the Medical Council of Namibia to ensure that fraudulent and malpractising doctors will have no place to hide in Namibia.

I am proposing that harsh measures should be introduced and apply to transgressors who give the country a bad name.

Furthermore, the following stringent disciplinary procedures against doctors should be introduced and implemented:

(a) Public naming and shaming of unethical doctors
(b) Providing details, including the name, offence and penalty imposed, and allowing these to be published once the process of a hearing against a doctor has been completed.
(c) Performing community service for 12 months and simultaneously complete a course in medical ethics.
(d) Attending ethics and practical management training for those who are found guilty of unprofessional conduct by billing medical aid for services not rendered.

In addition, it is noteworthy to mention that some of the common transgressions in Namibia are:

1. Issuing Medical Certificates without seeing patients
2. Issuing of sick leave certificates without assessing the health of the patient.
3. Performing poor dental work.
4. Disclosing a patient's diagnosis without consent.
5. Refusing to treat a patient in an emergency situation.

Simon N. Indongo
Ondangwa

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