Tristar says it has been under financial stress but has denied claims that it is going under, or failing to pay suppliers, its staff and some of its own doctors.

The bulk-billing corporate has been controversial — particularly its use of IMG doctors on limited registration working under supervision; supervision that its critics claim is not always adequate.

Here, Tristar’s founder and current CEO Dr Khaled El-Sheikh responds to allegations that its future and its clinics are in doubt.

“Everyone — the doctors and the staff — are being paid. We have been through an 18-month restructure of the company.