Gauteng Health has launched an investigation into plastic surgeon Dr Brian Monaisa, who has been accused by his peers of skipping work for months on end at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital while running a private practice and globetrotting.
A complaint has also been laid with the Public Protector, who has asked the hospital to respond to the allegations.
While his peers work long hours, Monaisa draws a salary from the state but, say colleagues, is never at work, leaving his job to overworked juniors while posting on social media about his worldwide travels and the clientele at his private practice.
His Instagram account says he specialises in body contouring and tummy tucks, reports The Citizen.
Last week, when The Citizen sent questions about his continued absence to the Gauteng Department of Health, management at the hospital was unable to locate Monaisa.
The department said a preliminary investigation had been initiated and that it noted the allegations “with concern”.
“Please note that Dr Monaisa works at the Plastic Surgery department at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that is headed by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital,” it responded.
“The two institutions are currently in consultation and investigating the matter.”
‘This is fraud’
Meanwhile, his colleagues alleged that he has been at work for no more than 10 days since the beginning of this year.
“He doesn’t arrive for weeks on end, and leaves junior surgeons to operate on their own,” said one.
“He is posting on his Instagram account, sometimes from countries like Tanzania as well as from Europe,” said another.
Another insider alleged that Bara management and the human resources department allowed Monaisa to “get away with fraud, despite complaints”.
His Instagram account depicts his world travels – “mornings in Paris”, visits to high end overseas art galleries – as well as his work at his aesthetics clinic, Marang.
When contacted, Monaisa said “I know nothing”.
“I cannot comment, I don’t know about what you’re talking about,” he said before abruptly cutting the call.
Public Protector roped in
A separate complaint against the medical professional was also laid with the Public Protector.
The whistle-blower alleged that Monaisa does not report for duty, is absent for two to three weeks at a time, does not assist junior surgeons in the theatre, and leaves them to do complicated operations on their own, to the detriment of patients and general healthcare at the facility.
On 19 March, the Public Protector wrote to hospital CEO Dr Nkele Lesia, who was asked to attend to the complaint and report back within 90 days.
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