Lipa fights for doctors to remain independent
Dr Mabuwa Makhomisane explained that in recent years, there's a trend of regulatory bodies approving for hospitals and pharmacies to employ medical doctors, which was unheard of in the past.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Independent Practitioners Association (Lipa) advocates for doctors to remain independent practitioners.
Lipa, a subsidiary of the Alliance of South African Independent Practitioners Association (Asaipa) is committed to organising healthcare professionals in the province.
Lipa chairperson Dr Mabuwa Makhomisane indicated in a statement that the biggest challenge that the current generation is facing is the corporatisation of healthcare.
“There is constant push-back from medical funders, the pharmaceutical industry and health regulators in South Africa. The primary aim to take away the health decision from the patient and their doctors.”
He explained that in recent years, there’s a trend of regulatory bodies approving for hospitals and pharmacies to employ medical doctors, which was unheard of in the past.
“This can only spell disaster for the patient. When a doctor is employed by a chain pharmacy or a private hospital their decision-making will almost always be swayed towards meeting the employers’ expectations which in many cases will be profit as opposed to the best interest of the patient. Lipa will constant fight for doctors to remain independent practitioners,” he stated.
He added that similarly, the government has also granted pharmacists the right to diagnose, prescribe as well as dispense medication as though they are doctors and this is part of an attempt to remove doctors and their patients from the decision-making processes. “Doctors have for the longest time been seen as a nuisance that stands between the healthcare budget and the corporate companies profits,” he added.
With every passing year, patients find themselves digging deeper into their pockets for medicals aids contributions, whereas their benefits continue to reduce. It is no longer affordable for an average family to afford medical aid, however the medical aid administration companies continue to register large profits and bonuses year on year, he said.
“Lipa stands to expose and fight against these atrocities. These are well orchestrated attacks targeted at destroying the quality of healthcare provided to our people in the name of profit. Unfortunately, the consequences of poor healthcare is always pain, suffering and death. We have seen this in many failed states in the world and if nothing is done. This is where South Africa is headed,” he said.
“Lipa has won many of these battles and we have achieved this through the platforms we have created and our affiliation to as well as Ipaf, which allowed us to have a significant voice that has made a huge impact in improving and preserving healthcare for our patients,” he added.
Makhomisane indicated that they have not reached their goal yet and envisage many new challenges and therefore need more doctors to join the organisation and add more voices to their battle.
