Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2007-01-20 Reporter: Tash Reddy

Shaik's Guards and Hospital Bill Add Almost R200 000 to His Already Hefty R33m Debt

 

Publication 

The Star
Date

2007-01-20

Reporter

 Tash Reddy

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

In spite of a R33-million debt owing to the state, convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik is still accruing more debt as experts predict his 57-day hospital bill is fast approaching the half-a- million-rand mark.

Just a few days after he began serving his 15-year sentence at Westville Prison, he was moved to the hospital section of Empangeni's Qalakabusha Prison, and then two weeks later was admitted to a private ward at Durban's St Augustine's Hospital under 24-hour guard.

Since his admission, Shaik was reported to have been treated for depression, high blood pressure and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes). Further reports state he also underwent an angiogram (an investigative procedure to find blocked arteries leading to the heart) and maxillo-facial surgery to remove abscesses from his gums.

Leading doctors in the city estimated the cost of his various treatments including medication, hospitalisation and surgery to be nearing almost R300 000, while security companies estimated his protection costs at almost R200 000. A private room at St Augustine's Hospital costs R2 300, which means his 57-day stay is already at R131 100.

A cardiologist based at the hospital said an angiogram costs at least R30 000, and that excluded the R10 000 or more theatre fees, while maxillo-facial surgeons said the cost of dental surgery varied, based on the severity of the patient's condition, but could cost around R25 000, including theatre fees.

A daily consultation fee by a physician, cardiologist and psychiatrist, all of whom are treating Shaik, is an average of R300 each, totalling R17 100 for each of the doctors over this period.

Leading Durban pharmacists estimate that medication and other medical supplies for high blood pressure, cardiac problems, depression and pain to be sitting at close to R20 000, bringing the grand total to R267 400. Added to this is the 24-hour guard protection, for which Shaik is reportedly footing the bill.

While Correctional Services said the cost was based on a fraction of what Shaik earns and would not comment on how much they were charging him for guard services, specialist security companies around the country said the cost could range from R4 000 to R5 000 for each guard per month.

At the end of two months, his bill for the guards could be close to R200 000, giving a total of an estimated R467 400 in all, excluding miscellaneous costs.

Meanwhile, doctors are also sceptical about Shaik's condition and lengthy stay in hospital saying that none of the diagnoses made would warrant a 57-day stay in hospital.

According to the doctors, every one of those conditions would require only a week-long stay in hospital at the most.

"Billions of people around the world live with those conditions every day and take the necessary medication to control them. In my opinion this is a case of a crooked patient and crooked doctors," said one cardiologist.

With acknowledgements to Tash Reddy and The Star.