Johannesburg -
He bears the ominous nickname of Dr Death, but this hasn’t deterred about 13 000 patients from putting themselves in the hands of cardiologist Wouter Basson
Details of Basson’s professional reputation and workload are contained in court papers filed this week.
Basson, 64, ran the South African Defence Force’s chemical and biological warfare programme about three decades ago. He is now a practising cardiologist in Durbanville in the Western Cape.
Basson is fighting efforts to suspend or remove him from the medical practitioners’ roll because about a year ago, following a six-year probe, the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) professional conduct committee found him guilty of unethical conduct.
In the landmark case, the council found that in the 1980s he had been involved in the large-scale production of Mandrax, ecstasy and teargas.
He had also made cyanide capsules available to specialised unit members to use to commit suicide.
An affidavit by Basson, contained in court papers dated Monday, detailed how the outcome of the probe could affect his work situation.
It said: “I currently have approximately 13 000 patients, which includes patients that are hospitalised, and I also have a theatre list for operations to be done which has been booked and arranged four to six months in advance.”
Basson said if he were suddenly removed from the medical roll, or suspended, his practice would likely collapse.
“It will mean that my practice, where there are 12 people employed, will practically close down with immediate effect, and will have devastating effects not only for me but also my patients,” he said.
Basson’s legal team lodged the urgent application because they want HPCSA chairman Johannes Hugo and committee member Edgar Mhlanga to provide information about their membership of any organisation that signed a petition in support of removing Basson from the roll of medical practitioners.
Basson’s legal team also wanted an order made to prevent Hugo and Mhlanga from continuing with disciplinary proceedings against him.
- Pretoria News Weekend