I wish to bring urgent public attention to the treatment my mother has recently received at Westville Hospital, and the wider impact this is having on other patients.
My mother, a long-time patient of cardiologist Dr. Duze, has been left in a precarious medical situation following what I believe to be unethical and unsafe practices at Westville Hospital. Dr Duze is currently under suspension, which I believe to be unfair, and as a result, his patients—including my mother—are being denied treatment, discharged without proper medical justification, and in some cases outright refused care.
My mother suffers from severe heart failure, with a heart function of only 24%. Despite this, she was discharged from Westville Hospital without adequate testing or justification by Drs. Dlwathi and Naidu, even after I raised serious concerns.
Within hours of returning home, her condition deteriorated, and she had to be rushed back to the hospital in the early hours of the morning. Upon arrival, I was informed that Dr Naidu refused to see her, with no explanation given. I was further advised by a nurse that Westville Hospital would not treat her and that I should move her to another facility.
This is despite the fact that her transfer to Sandton or Morningside Mediclinic—under the care of Dr. Dube—had already been approved by medical aid.
This pattern of conduct is deeply concerning. Vulnerable patients who had long-standing relationships with Dr Duze are now being left without continuity of care, their lives put at unnecessary risk, and their families left to scramble for alternatives.
I am calling for immediate intervention by the relevant health authorities to investigate Westville Hospital’s handling of patients, particularly those of Dr Duze, and to hold accountable any parties whose actions have compromised patient safety.
The public has a right to know when patients are being denied essential care in life-threatening situations.