Bogus doctor arrested for illegally practising in Chatsworth

A BOGUS doctor who operated as a general practitioner (GP) from the surgery of the late Dr Govindaraj Muruvan, in Havenside Drive, in Chatsworth, treating hundreds of patients over the last three years, was arrested during a sting operation, last week.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL [e-mail]

Ashley Ramsarup, 51, of Bellair, was arrested last Thursday and appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court yesterday (Tuesday) on charges of illegally practising medicine.

It is alleged that Ramsurap had issued a medical certificate under the name of Dr Muruvan to the investigator from the Health Professions Council of South Africa who posed as a patient during their investigation. He was granted R2 000 bail at the Bayview SAPS after his arrest. The matter was adjourned to next month for further investigation.

Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said Bayview police arrested Ramsarup for allegedly contravening the Health Profession Act of 1974.

"He was found to be practising as a health practitioner without proper documentation, in Havenside," he said.

Ramsarup's arrest was part of an ongoing crackdown on unregistered medical practitioners by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

HPCSA inspectorate officials uncovered unlawful medical activities at the medical centre, where Ramsarup was found practising without registration, the council said in a statement.

"He was arrested on site and faces charges of fraud and contravening sections 17, 39, and 40 of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974."