Alleged unethical behaviour condemned - splashing cash for posts
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says reports of medical interns swapping positions for payment is unethical, unfair, and goes against the grain of what the medical profession stands for.
“We simply cannot have a situation where intern positions are being ‘sold’ for whatever reason. The placement of interns is a difficult process, and many doctors are unfortunately not placed where they want to be. For those fortunate enough to have found placements to now sell them to the highest bidders is not fair on others waiting for legitimate placements,” says Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of SAMA.
It was reported at the weekend that medical students are willing to pay up to R100 000 for internships at preferred hospitals across the country. The reports suggest the bartering occurs on social media platforms such as Facebook, and via messaging apps such as Telegram.
“Given the complexities and historical issues with the placement of intern doctors, the current haggling over preferred placements is out of touch with the realities of the situation. And, ultimately, this sends the message that with enough money, certain people are able to buy themselves the placements of their choice, a situation we cannot accept or tolerate,” Dr Coetzee says.
She says the alleged selling of placements amounts to a form of corruption and that SAMA would be seeking a more detailed investigation into the practice. She says apart from being unethical and unfair, doctors are duty bound to provide medical care to those who need it, not to those who they want to provide it to, in areas or hospitals that suit them.
People with information on the matter can send it to our Wistleblower email address on whistleblower@samedical.org
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Notes to Editors
About SAMA
The South African Medical Association was formally constituted on 21 May 1998 as a unification of a variety of doctors’ groups that had represented a diversity of interests. SAMA is a non-statutory, professional association for public, and private sector medical practitioners. SAMA is a voluntary membership association, existing to serve the best interests and needs of its members in any and all healthcare related matters.
Contact:
Head of PR & Communications
Dr Simonia Magardie
082 905 8505
Email: simoniam@samedical.org
Spokesperson 1
Chairperson: SAMA
Dr A Coetzee
082 379 8118
Email: dr.coetzee@worldonline.co.za
Spokesperson 2
Vice-Chairperson: SAMA
Dr M Mzukwa
076 382 8152
Email: mzukwam@gmail.com