Authorized consultants and health ministry staff are permitted to offer their services after working hours and require fees for their services.

This has been revealed by the Health Ministry spokesperson Iliesa Tora as they carry out internal investigations into complaints received that patients at the government hospitals are being charged service fees for services which are supposed to be free.

Tora said there are certain consultants and other staff who are specifically authorized to tender their services when they are not on duty and they can collect fees from the patients.

However, he stressed those not authorized are not permitted to offer their medical services after hours.