Is Bhagat buggered?

GREG KELEBONYE and
MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writers | Friday April 16, 2010 00:00

 

The certificate signed by Dr Joseph Makhema the current Botswana Health Professionals Council (BHPC) bears registration number 1B - 53 and is dated June 4, 1996. Makhema signed the letter as chairman of the BMC, the predecessor of BHPC. All health professionals in the country were supposed to be registered afresh when BHPC replaced BMC. All previous registration with BMC became null and void when BHPC came into being. Moreover the new organisation brought with it a new set of requirements for registration.

Bhagat has been in a dispute with the BHPC over his qualifications to practice as a cardiologist, and each party has promised to sue the other.

The BHPC contends that Bhagat should not practice as a cardiologist because he does not have the qualifications and he is only registered as a General Physician, while Bhagat insists that he is a cardiologist. Makhema a specialist in internal medicine has consistently stated that BHPC has only registered Bhagat as a General Physician.

'As BHPC we maintain that Bhagat is registered with us as a General Physician. Yes we appreciate that people are asking questions, but I can assure the nation that there is no malice on our part as BHPC.

This whole thing is explainable and we shall in due cause support our contention with all the relevant information,' said Makhema.

Not in a few word words, he has called Bhagat 'dishonest'. He is aware himself that he is registered as a General Physician and that as per the law, he cannot operate as a cardiologist,' he said.

The other 'proof' that Bhagat has proffered to back his case is a letter written by a former director of Health Services, Dr Patson Mazonde in 2002. The letter authorised Bhagat to set up a cardiology clinic.

'I am happy to inform you that in a meeting held on the 13 February 2002, the Private Practice Committee granted you permission to setup a cardiology Practice in Gaborone. Please note that your practice will be confined to Gaborone. Further, for the duration of your practice, you will be expected to abide by the rules and regulations that govern Private Practitioners in the country,' reads the letter.

However, Bhagat also practices in Serowe and Maun.

The BHPC is a statutory body that regulates health professions in aspects pertaining to registration, education and training, professional conduct and ethical behaviour. It fosters compliance with healthcare standards. Each practitioner is supposed to renew his or her registration with BHPC annually. The BHP Act says that failure to renew registration will result in automatic deregistration.