Organisers of a ceremony recognising the work of Gauteng's paediatric doctors have announced that surgeon Professor Peter Beale has withdrawn from the awards. The Times reports that Beale, who is under investigation for the deaths of eight children and for allegedly maiming 11 others, was to have been honoured on Saturday night at the event in Johannesburg. Along with inquests being conducted into the deaths of the children, he is also under investigation by the Health Professionals Council of SA and is the subject of a Netcare Hospital Group peer review.
The report says the annual event, which would have seen seven doctors receiving certificates and awards, is organised by medical staff working in the paediatric field. Organiser Dr Lucia Singh said via WhatsApp: “Beale will not be attending our event”. In a follow-up telephonic interview she said Beale, and other doctors, had pulled out of the event.
The report says news of the ceremony angered many of the parents whose children have died or were maimed.
[link url="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-11-22-under-fire-paediatric-doctor-withdraws-from-award-ceremony/"]The Times report[/link]