Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba's conduct towards a Zimbabwean patient seeking healthcare at a provincial government hospital was unethical.
In a video that trended online on Wednesday, a female patient is heard telling the MEC that she speaks Shona, Ramathuba then asks her why is she not seeking medical care in her country, Zimbabwe.
“You speak Shona and then how do you find yourself in Bela-Bela when you are supposed to be with [Zimbabwean president Emmerson] Mnangagwa there? You know he doesn’t give me money to operate [on] you guys?” Ramathuba said.
The staff in the ward could be heard laughing as the conversation between the MEC and patient went on.
“You are supposed to be with Mnangagwa. You are killing my health system. When you guys are sick you just say, 'let's cross the Limpopo River, there's a MEC there who's running a charity department'.”
She further told the hospital staff to ensure the woman settles her bill before she leaves.
Ramathuba is a qualified medical doctor. She took the SA Medical Association's pledge which partly states, “I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice”.
Her treatment of that patient lacked dignity and decency. Her behaviour was unacceptable and unprofessional. She humiliated that woman in front of her amused staff. Nobody deserves such treatment, whether they are in the country illegally or not, a paying patient or not.
Ramathuba played to the gallery instead of addressing her frustrations over a budget that is stretched due to an influx of illegal immigrants through proper channels. Humiliating one person will not solve her problems, it will also not stop others from seeking healthcare in the province.
Ramathuba is raising important issues that should not be ignored, but with the wrong person. She should be discussing the issue of our porous borders, which is among the challenges that lead to illegal immigrants crossing into SA for medical care, with her colleagues in the home affairs department.
In her position she has power to influence a change of policy, and diplomatic talks with countries whose citizens overburden her system.
Her behaviour towards that poor woman is not what public leadership is about and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
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