A gynaecologist who was struck from the UK register in 2006 for “persistent dishonesty over more than a decade”, “flagrant disregard for his responsibilities to patients” and “excuses” for his conduct, and who has been suspended three times in South Africa, will face the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) this week for a malpractice charge.
The case relates to the death two years ago of Cape Town actress Zoleka Helesi, when gynaecologist Ganes Ramdhin diagnosed her with cervical cancer and later performed an abdominal hysterectomy. Sepsis set in and after a few weeks, Helesi died.
According to the complaint before the HPCSA, doctors supporting the allegation of malpractice say she should never have had surgery, reports TimesLIVE.
Since Helesi’s death, three scheduled HPCSA hearings over her matter have been delayed.
Ramdhin, who has insisted that he is being vilified, has weathered several controversies in the UK and South Africa.
He was placed on the register of the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK but was later found to have misled the panel about proven cases of fraud in South Africa. He had previously been found guilty of 10 cases of medical aid fraud in Port Shepstone.
Ramdhin returned to South Africa after being struck off the roll in Britain, but he denied the details of the GMC report, saying he was removed from the UK register only for non-payment of fees.
The HPCSA previously confirmed Ramdhin was suspended from the South African register in 1991 after a conviction for assault, was suspended again in 2000 and 2002 for “unprofessional conduct”, and twice incurred fines; for misrepresenting himself and diverting public patients to his private practice.
The gynaecologist was also recently reported to Discovery Health for overcharging patient Anele Gcwabe. She had sought help for a skin condition at the Khayelitsha Medical Centre and was told by reception that no dermatologist was on duty but a general practitioner would see her.
She had a consultation in Ramdhin’s rooms at 10am on a Wednesday but was charged rates for seeing a gynaecologist during emergency hours.
Discovery Health’s Ryan Noach confirmed receiving Gcwabe’s complaint in January. An investigation led to mediation and Ramdhin agreed to amend his billing and reverse the emergency charge.
TimesLIVE article – Doctor with controversial past to face hearing by HPCSA (Restricted access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
New charges for thrice-suspended Cape doctor
Fresh criticism of ‘dysfunctional’ HPCSA after Ramdhin debacle
Gynae with ‘history of misconduct’ benefits from HPCSA ‘bungle’