Some nurses at the Mbabane Government Hospital have found a way to top up their salaries by opening their own ‘clinic’ from the basement of their residential blocks known as ‘1992 Flats’.
An investigation by this publication has uncovered a well-run operation, with every essential drug and other services offered at a clinic. The medications and other services offered at the ‘1992 Flats’ cost between E50-E300, depending on what ‘the patient’ wants to be assisted with.
The underground operation involves the sale of sick notes, medical scans (X-Ray), medical check-ups (for those applying for scholarships either locally or abroad) and those wishing to acquire public driving licenses.
This reporter, acting on a tip-off and disguised as a patient was successfully given a sick note on Friday for three days by one of the nurses running the underground medical den.
The sick note came at a fee of E150 owing to the three days given. An impeccable source who works as an additional staff at the hospital and acts as a middleman for the nurses revealed that it was no longer a secret that the ‘1992 Flats’ were being inundated by people looking for an easy way out at an exorbitant fee.
Illegal
He revealed that a week or two ago, all nurses, orderlies and security officers were called to a meeting after management got winds of their illegal operation. It is said that the nurses and everyone suspected of being involved received a stern warning and were further advised to desist from their inhumane act.
While many have decided to lay low following the discovery of their illicit business, still others are continuing the operation due to its financial spin-off as demonstrated by the nurse who assisted this reporter.
The middleman, who confessed to receiving payments on behalf of his ‘bosses’ and his cut, said the blowing out of their operation could be attributed to the level in which it was happening, especially in the months of January and February. He said these months were the busiest for the operation to the extent that it seemed normal to do it.
The most sought after services included x-ray, medical check-ups and sick notes, which during these months ranged between E200-E300.
These services cost not more than E25 in the hospital, yet people chose to pay to avoid the long processes and long hours spent to get one. More importantly, because others were fully aware that through the right processes, they would be denied same.
Official
The sick note obtained by this reporter bears the official stamp of the hospital together with a signature from the medical officer. It is not clear though whether the signature belongs to a doctor or one of the nurses who is involved in this despicable illegal operation. The nurse’s surname remains known to this publication but cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.
The residential blocks of the nursing staff are situated just behind the hospital, adjacent to the Mbabane campus for the University of Eswatini and a stone’s throw from the bus stop.
“These guys have been running their operation since last year without detection,” said the source, further confirming that they make most of their killings from sick notes and medical check-ups because they are able to charge high fees due to their demand and long queues at the Government hospital.
“There are a lot of people travelling even from outside Mbabane, because they know they can pay and get whatever they need without proper checks,” he continued.
According to him, the sick notes were in demand from individuals who sought to circumvent workplace and for pupils who do not want to attend classes. Meanwhile, the medical check-ups were sought by individuals who wanted to acquire heavy duty driving licences or those who wish to submit them to their new employers.
