An Indian doctor working in Britain's National Health Service has been prohibited from treating female patients except in emergencies after complaints of 'inappropriate' examination of two women patients in August 2002.
For nearly four years, Syed Asghar Zaheer, who graduated from the Lucknow University in 1958, has restrictions placed on his employment after medical authorities found him guilty of the charges.
Another Indian doc barred from practice
The General Medical Council has now decided to further extend the restrictions for one more year since he did not submit any evidence on how he had addressed the concerns raised when he was first pulled up for the controversial examination.
At a 'fitness to practice' hearing this week, a GMC panel directed that except in life threatening emergencies, Zaheer must not undertake consultations with female patients without a chaperone present.
He was also directed to maintain a log detailing every case where he undertakes a consultation with such a patient, which must be signed by the chaperone.
In August 2002, Zaheer examined a female patient identified only as Ms A at her home, during the course of which he undid her bra strap. He further touched Ms A's private parts without her permission, according to case papers.
In the case of another female patient identified as Ms B on 17 February 2003, Zaheer 'put his hands inside her clothing and felt her groin area.'
This was done without her consent, and the authorities ruled that Zaheer's actions were 'inappropriate and not clinically justified'. His conduct was found to have 'fallen well below the standard expected of a registered medical practitioner'.
At the hearing, the panel noted that Zaheer was not working in clinical practice since June 2004 and that he had provided no objective evidence to demonstrate that he had kept up to date and maintained his professional knowledge.
In the circumstances, the panel said that a further period of conditional registration of one year was necessary for the protection of patients and in the public interest.
