Bogus Clinics under fire

Home / Our Health / Bogus Clinics under fire

Illegal advertising of the termination of pregnancy in the North West has prompted action from the Department of Health, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service and other Government departments, which held a peaceful march from Rustenburg town main taxi rank led by Health MEC Dr Magome Masike.

This initiative is against advertising and provision of illegal abortion services, aiming to raise awareness of the danger of unsafe illegal abortion.

Klerksdorp is one of the big cities in the Nort West, with young women coming from rural areas and villages to further their studies, and the town is full of pamphlets advertising backstreet clinics.

Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital spokesperson, Nico Masiu ,said: ” The hospital is offering legal and safe termination in Matlosana area. From 31 March 2012 till 1 April 2013 total abortions done at the hospital is 1 885, 111 Teenagers and 71 repeats.”

Health-e called one of the bogus doctors, “Dr Khan” to try to set-up an appointment. He didn’t want to reveal his whereabouts.

“I’m fully booked today and very busy, maybe tommorow. Call me in the morning to see if I have space, will tell you where to wait for me,” said “Khan”.

This bogus doctors also stated that he chargeg R 800 for a pregnancy at six weeks’ gestation.

Nthabiseng Mooki from Kanana near Orkney, who is a mother of two, said: “Sometimes one is shy to go to the hospital as nurse can give you hard time, so this backstreet become an option.”.

However, the department of Health encourages family planning, and said women are advised to get terminations services during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.