The Gauteng Department of Health has welcomed the arrest of three women allegedly linked to the theft and illegal sale of medication used for legal termination of pregnancy services at Stretford Community Health Centre (CHC) in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.
The department said two boxes of Cytotec tablets, which are used as part of lawful Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) services, along with 24 loose tablets, were allegedly stolen from the health facility on Monday.
According to the department, the suspects allegedly gained access to the medication after breaking a padlock securing a medicine cupboard.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said a sting operation was launched after investigators received information from a whistleblower.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, who allegedly sold the stolen medication to patients waiting in the CTOP queue at the facility.
“A client who had purchased the tablets assisted investigators by identifying the individual who sold the medication. Further investigations led to the implication of additional accomplices,” Mabona said.
All three suspects, who are female Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers, were arrested on Thursday and detained at Orange Farm Police Station.
The suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court on Monday.
Department condemns alleged exploitation of patients
The Gauteng Department of Health described the arrests as an important step towards protecting patients, safeguarding public healthcare resources and ensuring that individuals allegedly profiting from the unlawful sale of state medication are held accountable.
The department condemned the theft of medication and the alleged exploitation of women and patients seeking healthcare services.
It warned that such activities undermine the integrity of the public healthcare system and could place patients’ health and lives at risk.
“The Department cautions the public against purchasing termination of pregnancy medication from individuals or through any process that does not involve professional medical practitioners in healthcare facilities where the necessary steps for a legal termination of pregnancy are followed,” Mabona said.
He also warned the public against seeking termination of pregnancy services from unauthorised individuals or so-called backyard abortion clinics.
According to Mabona, illegal operators may promise services that are quick, cheap and discreet, but can expose women to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
Health department warns of risks of unsafe abortions
Mabona said unsafe and illegal abortions can result in a range of serious medical complications.
These include incomplete abortions, where pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, as well as severe bleeding and infections.
He also warned of uterine perforation caused by the insertion of sharp objects and other forms of damage to the uterus.
“These complications can result in long-term health problems, infertility and, in some cases, death,” Mabona said.
The department urged members of the public to access termination of pregnancy services through recognised public healthcare facilities, where services are provided safely and confidentially by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.
It said legal termination of pregnancy services remain available at public healthcare facilities and encouraged patients to seek professional medical care rather than obtaining medication through unauthorised channels.
