A NURSE told Oxford hospital bosses he had malaria to cover up a problem with his work visa, a hearing was told yesterday.

Anthony Aschkar had been on holiday in his home country of Ghana when customs officials stopped him from heading into the UK while they checked out his work visa, which was legitimate.

Aschkar got his ex-girlfriend to inform his employers at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital he was suffering from the life-threatening tropical disease, on June 10, 2010.

He bought false medical papers from the back streets of Ghana to support his claims, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), heard.

The nurse confessed he had lied about contracting malaria after he was caught napping for two hours while at work.

Ms Scarborough informed the tribunal that he went through rigorous back to work tests, where he was pronounced symptom free and ready to go back on the ward.

It was not until he was investigated for falling asleep on the job two months later that he admitted making up the illness to cover up problems with his work visa.

Aschkar, who is not attending the London hearing, admits all the charges against him but denies his fitness to practice is impaired.

If found guilty he could be struck off the register.

The hearing continues.