Watchdog uncovers doctor’s alleged sick leave fraud scheme worth MOP150,000

A doctor employed by the Correctional Services Bureau allegedly conspired with several other physicians to falsify medical certificates for himself and his parents in order to fraudulently obtain sick leave and wages totaling nearly MOP150,000, according to the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC).

The anti-graft body said the doctor, whose name was not disclosed, worked with multiple friends in both public and private medical institutions between 2018 and 2024 to produce false medical certificates.

These documents were allegedly used to justify absences from work, even though neither he nor his family members were ill.

The certificates, issued under the pretext of personal or family sickness, allowed the doctor to take paid leave while attending to private matters.

Investigators found that the doctor also held paid part-time positions without the knowledge or approval of his department, which is another violation of public service regulations.

The CCAC said the public servant, his relatives, and the doctors involved from private institutions are suspected of committing fraud and document forgery under the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, the public-sector doctors implicated in the case may also face charges of forgery by a public servant, a more serious offense.

According to the CCAC, the case has been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further action, and the relevant government departments have been notified.

The commission noted that this is not an isolated case, pointing to a recent rise in incidents involving public servants abusing sick leave entitlements.

It reiterated its warning that both public employees and medical practitioners must adhere strictly to the law and uphold professional ethics.

“Public servants and medical staff should know and abide by the law, keep their professional ethics in mind and shall not abuse the sick leave regime,” the CCAC said in its statement.

In the CCAC’s “2024 Macau Commission Against Corruption Work Report” published earlier this year, the graft-buster reported a notable case involving four customs officers, who were suspected of colluding with medical professionals to exaggerate illnesses, such as back and leg pain, in order to obtain hundreds of medical certificates.

The officers allegedly fraudulently claimed between 900 and 1,400 days of sick leave, receiving salaries ranging from MOP600,000 to MOP1.7 million during their absences.