Durban cardiologist says misconduct allegations part of smear campaign

A CARDIOLOGIST at Life Westville Hospital in Durban has described allegations that he subjected patients to unnecessary medical procedures as a smear campaign meant to tarnish his name and strip him of his medical licence.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

Dr Ntando Duze spoke to The Mercury yesterday as he fights to save his professional reputation. This week, he was the subject of an exposé by a TV news programme, with patients accusing him of subjecting them to unnecessary procedures.

He stated that the accusations were motivated by professional jealousy and racism. The allegations are being probed by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

The Mercury is in possession of text messages and an affidavit which indicate that a doctor at the hospital had attempted to solicit a complaint from a patient of Dr Duze to file with the HPCSA.

The patient, whose name is known to The Mercury, confirmed that they had received calls from one of the doctor's colleagues, who allegedly wanted him to lay a complaint against the cardiologist.

Dr Duze said the claims against him are manufactured.

"They say I put patients through unnecessary procedures. They make these claims without any foundation in the patient's medical history; some of the people leading this claim are not even cardiologists.

"There is an issue of professional jealousy and racism. The issue of professional harassment stems from the fact that I run a successful clinic. I work very long hours to care for many patients, so my practice is busy. In order to destroy and tarnish my reputation and strip me of my medical licence, my colleagues, some based in that hospital, are making these claims."

Dr Duze said one of the doctors called one of his patients and asked him to lodge a complaint.