WITS University says it is appalled to learn of the suspension of Dr Tim De Maayer, a paediatric gastroenterologist based at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, and who is also a joint appointee of the University of the Witwatersrand.
Dr De Maayer was served with a precautionary suspension for having spoken out against the conditions in the Hospital.
In a statement, Wits University called for the unconditional and immediate lifting of his suspension by the Gauteng Department of Health.
“This is a ludicrous situation – instead of resolving the issues raised by the doctor at the coalface, the Department has chosen to shoot the messenger,” said Professor Shabir Madhi, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
“It is not like our healthcare professionals have not raised these issues multiple times through the correct channels, but nothing has happened. How much louder can our doctors and clinicians on the ground speak?”
“These actions are against the spirit of the agreement between Wits and the Department with regard to the management of our joint staff,” added Madhi.
The university has been in contact with the Gauteng Department of Health since the suspension was announced and are optimistic that it will be rescinded.
Failing the lifting of the suspension, the university said it will embark on a public protest in support of Dr De Maayer.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said that she had been made aware of the precautionary suspension.
“The Gauteng department of health once again acknowledges the issues previously raised by Dr De Maayer. The department concedes that there are challenges within the health system in the province and in the country in general, which require multifaceted interventions. The department remains committed to tackling these challenges while continuing to render services to millions of patients annually,” she said.
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