Ntsebeng Motsoeli
MASERU — A former Queen Elizabeth II Hospital nurse, ‘Mabatho Khoarai, on Friday appeared before the Lesotho Nursing Council to answer charges of operating an unregistered clinic.
The hearing took place at the Ministry of Health offices in Maseru.
Khoarai, who was fired from her job in 2005 for stealing money from a patient who was under her care, runs ‘Mabatho Clinic in Thibella.
The ministry says Khoarai has been running the clinic without a licence.
Under Lesotho’s laws, it is illegal for any health practitioner to operate a health centre without permission from the Ministry of Health.
Khoarai is also accused of dispensing expired drugs to patients as well as charging for the measles vaccines which are supposed to be given for free.
She denies the allegations.
Khoarai was fired from her nursing job in 2005 after she allegedly withdrew money from an account belonging to her dead patient.
She allegedly withdrew the money from an automated teller machine (ATM) after the patient died at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital.
She was however caught on the CCTV cameras withdrawing the money.
The late patient’s ATM card had the personal identification number written on it.
It was not possible to establish how much she withdrew from the account.
Last month the Ministry of Health said it was planning to shut down unregistered clinics operating across the country.
The ministry said it was concerned by the rising number of unregistered clinics operating in Lesotho.
“The Ministry of Health is going to close all clinics which are operating unlawfully,” then spokesman Tumisang Mokoai said.
He said most of the unregistered clinics were operating in sub-standard environments, putting the health of their patients at stake.
Most of the clinics did not have running water, electricity and adequate equipment or facilities, Mokoai said.
A senior nursing officer who requested anonymity told the Sunday Express that Khoarai’s case could be transferred to the courts of law if the disciplinary panel decides so.
Khoarai declined to comment on the matter when she was contacted by the Sunday Express last night.
She was represented by Advocate Akhosi at the Friday hearing.
The hearing will continue on August 5 where the panel is expected to pass its verdict.