A doctor who publicly spoke out against the state of Gauteng healthcare facilities has been suspended.
Paediatrician Dr Tim de Maayer wrote an open letter, which was published on May 24 on News24, to the Gauteng health department, stating that the “horrendous conditions in our public hospitals” contribute to children’s deaths.
But on Thursday, De Maayer was placed on precautionary suspension by the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg, where he works, said Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi.
A petition opposing the suspension stated that the paediatrician was “suspended for sticking up for the babies and children of Rahima Moosa”. The petition already has 7,500 signatures.
In a statement on Thursday, Mokgethi said she would be talking with the hospital management following the decision to suspend De Maayer.
“The Gauteng Department of Health once again acknowledges the issues previously raised by Dr de Maayer, and reiterates its position put on record… The Department concedes that there are challenges within the health system in the province and in the country in general, which require multifaceted interventions.”
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