A Durban medical doctor, facing six counts of unprofessional conduct for allegedly charging a patient for services not rendered, has denied all allegations against him.
Dr Bright Sibonakaliso Madlala, 38, pleaded not guilty to allegations by former patient, Ntuthuko Luthuli, that he had submitted false claims to Telemed Medical Aid scheme for a period of two years.
In his plea explanation submitted to the panel committee at a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) inquiry on Monday, Madlala who was in charge of managing patients and their medical files at his practice in Albert Park, Durban, said he was entitled to the fees charged.
“I do believe my actions were just and sincere,” Madlala said.
He said he had offered Luthuli the best medical knowledge for which he was entitled to be paid.
Madlala is charged for submitting false claims from May 2006 to June 2008 amounting to more than R1 500.
Pro-forma Charles Lamola, acting for the council, said Luthuli initially said he would be late but then suggested that the matter be rolled over to today.
Inquiry
Lamola told the committee that Luthuli had suggested that the inquiry “come to him”.
Madlala addressed the panel in that regard and said the fact that Luthuli was not present and expected the inquiry to come to him showed that he was not serious about the hearing.
Despite Madlala’s objection to the adjournment, the committee decided to halt proceedings and continue the hearing on Tuesday.
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