Terms & Conditions

The service

Ask Dr Nomathemba provides medical consultations in obesity and metabolic medicine with Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana, a medical practitioner registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Consultations are offered primarily by secure video (telehealth), in line with the HPCSA's General Ethical Guidelines for Good Practice in Telehealth (Booklet 10).

Information on this website is general in nature and does not constitute individual medical advice. A practitioner-patient relationship is established only when Dr Chandiwana agrees to treat you and you give informed consent to be treated.

Informed consent and telehealth

Before your first consultation you will be asked to consent, in writing, both to the treatment to be given and to the use of telehealth technology. This includes an explanation of the platform used, any material risks to confidentiality arising from telehealth, and how consultation records are securely stored.

You may withdraw consent at any time. Where telehealth is not clinically appropriate for your condition, Dr Chandiwana will tell you and help redirect you to in-person care.

Suitability and emergencies

Telehealth consultations are not suitable for medical emergencies. In an emergency, call 10177 or go to your nearest emergency department. This practice does not provide emergency care.

The decision to consult by video rather than in person always takes your clinical needs into account. If a physical examination, urgent investigation or in-person review is needed, you will be advised accordingly.

Bookings, rescheduling and cancellation

Appointments are 30 minutes, booked online for a specific date and time. Your chosen slot is held once your booking is confirmed, and you receive a booking reference and secure video link by email.

You may reschedule free of charge by emailing the practice at least 24 hours before your appointment. Bookings changed or missed inside 24 hours may be charged in full, at the practice's discretion.

If Dr Chandiwana needs to move your appointment, you will be offered the next available suitable slot.

Fees

Fees are payable per consultation as shown on the consultations page: an initial consultation or a follow-up consultation, both 30 minutes. Fees are reviewed from time to time and the fee shown when you book applies to that booking.

Prescriptions and records

Prescriptions are issued at Dr Chandiwana's clinical discretion, in line with South African regulations, and only after a full assessment. Not every consultation results in a prescription.

Consultation records, prescriptions and related communications are documented, maintained and stored securely to the same standard of care as face-to-face consultations, as required by HPCSA guidelines.

Your responsibilities

Please provide accurate personal and medical information, have recent blood results, a current medication list and a recent weight ready, and join from a private location with a stable connection.

Liability and governing law

Nothing on this site limits liability that cannot be limited under South African law. These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Contact

Questions about these terms: hello@askdrnomathemba.africa. See also our Privacy Policy for how your personal and health information is handled.