The families of patients of a suspended cardiologist are demanding answers from Life Westville Hospital, Durban, for the deaths of their loved ones, whom they believe would still be alive had it not been for his suspension earlier this year.
Dr Ntando Peaceman Duze’s supporters, including patients and their families, and members of the MK party, held a protest at the hospital last month demanding his reinstatement, alleging racial discrimination, professional jealousy and sabotage were at the crux of the matter, reports the Sunday Tribune.
Last Thursday, they held a media briefing where they reiterated their calls for the hospital to explain the suspension, blaming the facility for the deaths of several of his former patients.
Duze had been accused of inserting stents unnecessarily, resulting in complaints of malpractice with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
The allegations were corroborated by independent experts, and both the HPCSA and Life Healthcare are investigating the doctor.
But since his suspension, families claim, some of his patients have been left with no one to treat them.
Improve
A spokesperson for the late Bhekithemba Mnyandu’s family has blamed the hospital for his death, saying his health would improve each time he had seen Duze, while relatives of another former patient, Zakhele Nxumalo, who also died, said they had been devastated by the cardiologist’s suspension.
They said they had never been told he was suspended.
In a statement after the protest, the hospital had said it was aware of the allegations involving Duze.
“In line with standard procedure, his admitting privileges were temporarily suspended pending a confidential internal review, conducted alongside an independent HPCSA investigation.”
The statement added that “before our internal review was concluded, Dr Duze chose to end his practising relationship with the hospital”.
“While we strive to be transparent, due to the ongoing HPCSA investigation we are unable to comment on specific information to protect the integrity of the process, and all parties involved.”
Duze has insisted he is the target of a smear campaign resulting from professional jealousy.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Cardiologist's ‘gagging’ order against Carte Blanche overturned
Court ‘gags’ Carte Blanche over cardiologist's malpractice claims