Doctor Issues Over 200 Fake Lab Results

Patience Nhamburo

A medical doctor in Harare has been arrested for allegedly issuing fake laboratory test results to over 200 patients. Dr Michael Mandaza of Euro Pacific hospital in Mabvuku appeared before a Harare magistrate facing charges of fraud.

It is alleged that Dr Mandaza conducted fake laboratory tests to patients at his hospital, charging them US$60 per test when in fact he does not own any laboratory and instead, was generating fake laboratory reports.

The state alleges that the 43-year-old doctor’s alleged malpractice came to light after one of his patients sought a second opinion on his diagnosis from another doctor. The second tests did not match the test results initially issued by doctor Mandaza.

Investigations established that Mandaza did not have a laboratory. Detectives from the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission raided Dr Mandaza’s place of residence and his hospital where they recovered over 200 patients’ files, sampling diagnostics laboratory date stamp, laptops and other digital devices used to make the reports.

Further searches at Dr Mandaza’s residence in Zimre Park also resulted in the confiscation of US$15000 and 2000 rands.

Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi remanded Dr Mandaza in custody to today (Thursday) for bail application.