POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Department of Health said they are working closely with relevant authorities and institutions to ensure that appropriate legal action is taken against a woman by the name of Nthabisneng Ramokolo who is said to be falsely representing herself as a pharmacist.

Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana said they strongly denounce Ramokolo’s false claims regarding her employment at the Mankweng and WF Knobel Hospitals, respectively.

“The department has conducted a thorough investigation into these claims and found them to be entirely baseless and without merit. Ramokolo has been falsely representing herself as a pharmacist at WF Knobel and Mankweng Hospital, as well as claiming to have obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Limpopo. We wish to clarify that there is no record of her employment at WF Knobel and Mankweng Hospital as a pharmacist,” his statement read.

Earlier, the University of Limpopo (UL) said their records do not contain any information that Ramokolo graduated from their institution.

The woman has been seen on social media wearing UL pharmaceutical wear and was pictured at a local mall in Polokwane where she is said to work at a retail pharmacy.

UL’s executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Professor Tebogo Mothiba said the records of the university do not contain any information on Ramokolo and that faculty members, current and former students have confirmed that they have never met her before.

“The use of UL, its name or logo, by anyone to misrepresent their academic qualifications is unlawful. UL reserves the right to take whatever action necessary to protect its reputation and the credibility of its qualifications,’ Selepe’s statement read.

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Shikwambana said the department takes matters of professional qualifications and patient safety extremely seriously.

“It is crucial that the public has trust and confidence in the healthcare professionals who provide essential services in our facilities. The mushrooming of imposters falsely claiming professional qualifications not only undermines the integrity of the healthcare system but also poses significant risks to patient welfare. We urge the public to be cautious and vigilant when seeking healthcare services,” he said.

Shikwambana said it is essential for patients to verify the qualifications and credentials of healthcare professionals before entrusting them with your health.

“The public is made aware that there is nothing wrong for a patient to request proof of registration with relevant regulator or statutory body whenever they feel uncomfortable or doubt. We will continue to prioritize the provision of high-quality healthcare services and maintain the integrity of our healthcare system,” he said.