The Ministry of Health, in a statement released on Wednesday, made it categorically clear that Dr Phophi Ramathuba will likely not face punitive measures for her impassioned rant about illegal immigrants to a Zimbabwean patient that’s since gone viral.
Dr Phophi Ramathuba is untouchable, Health Ministry says
The internet is still buzzing with polarising opinions on the sentiments shared by the Limpopo Health MEC about the strain illegal immigration has on the public healthcare system at a recent oversight visit to Bela Bela Hospital.
“Although, the department doesn’t have full context of the video conversation between the MEC and the patient, which make it difficult to make conclusion. We acknowledge that the public healthcare system is struggling in some areas to meet the healthcare needs of the citizens and reduce the backlogs due to unpredictably high number of undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries seeking healthcare service in the country, other than the asylum-seekers and refugees,” the ministry noted.
The ministry further concurred with Dr Ramathuba’s sentiments that Limpopo is a hotspot for illegal immigrants who cross the border to enjoy free access to South Africa’s strained public healthcare system.
However, health department spokesperson Foster Mohale added that where Dr Ramathuba may have been at fault was in her failure to “maintain high moral obligation and standards in [her] work in line with the Hippocratic Oath, together with the National Health Act and the Refugee Act of South Africa.”
Moreover, in the viral video clip, the Limpopo Health MEC was heard instructing the Zimbabwean patient to settle her bill before she could be discharged, a comment which sparked outrage.
According to the ministry, however, Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s instruction was not incorrect since “primary healthcare services are provided free of charge, but higher levels of care are subject to a fee.
While no immediate action will be taken against Dr Ramathuba, “the acting Minister of Health, Ms Angie Motshekga, has instructed the Department to gather all necessary information which will enable her to provide Dr Phaahla (who’s out of the country) with a full report on his return.”
Here is another look at the video of Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s impassioned illegal immigration speech that has since gone viral on social media:
Dr Ramathuba has yet to reflect on her viral moment in a statement.