South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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[We have not prepared an abstract for the editorial but we can do so if required.].
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The Limpopo MEC for Health, during a hospital visit, was recently shown in a video to have humiliated a vulnerable undocumented Zimbabwean woman patient, resulting in the hospital workers present laughing at the unfortunate patient. The patient had arrived at a hospital in the province that was short-staffed and under-resourced because of failings on the part of the Department of Health. ⋯ The conduct of the MEC is measured against the patient's rights under the Constitution of South Africa and the National Health Act 61 of 2003, and her conduct is discussed in the light of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974 and the Ethical Rules of Conduct of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The conclusion reached is that the MEC had breached the Constitution, the National Health Act, the Health Professions Act and the Ethical Rules of Conduct of the HPCSA, and should be disciplined by the HPCSA, as required by the Health Professions Act.