Namibia: Cuban Doctors Face Theft Charges

allAfrica.com

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has opened a case against Cuban doctors allegedly found with medical supplies in their quarters suspected to have been taken from Windhoek hospitals last month.

Police spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed this saying the case was opened, "not by the police but probably by the Ministry of Health".

Although health permanent secretary Andrew Ndishishi answered his phone yesterday, he could not confirm this development, saying he was busy in a meeting.

Kanguatjivi said the health ministry could not open a case earlier because they only had suspicions.

Crime Investigations Coordinator for the Khomas Region Deputy Commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa said they were investigating about five employees in connection with the case but could not give further details.

Police raided the flats occupied by Cuban doctors in Windhoek last month, and discovered medical supplies including syringes, needles and bandages.

The raid, was allegedly carried out after a tip-off about the doctors treating people, mostly Angolans, at their quarters using medical supplies stolen from State hospitals.

When the police arrived at the doctors quarters, with the media in tow, they found one of them removing a plaster from an Angolan man.

No one was arrested although the police took away the medical equipment for investigations.

Fakri Rodriguez Pinelo, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Windhoek said they were also aware of the investigations.

Rodriguez Pinelo said they will wait for the outcome of the investigations before commenting further.