The Gauteng Department of Health has warned officials and members of the public against bribery and queue jumping at public healthcare facilities across the province.
The department says it has received complaints alleging that some patients may be paying officials to bypass queues, access patient files or collect medication from pharmacies.
Gauteng Health strongly condemns bribery, corruption and preferential treatment. Officials who accept money or any other benefit in exchange for performing, speeding up or giving preferential treatment in their duties could face serious disciplinary and legal consequences. Such conduct may constitute corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act 12 of 2004).
Members of the public who are asked for bribes are encouraged to report the incidents while still at the health facility by approaching the CEO or Quality Assurance Office.
The department says public healthcare services are not for sale and no patient should have to pay an official to receive a service they are entitled to. It has warned that corruption will not be tolerated within Gauteng’s public healthcare system.
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