Medical council recommendation with Health Minister

Jan 04, 2010 News

Tortured teen probe…

By Michael Jordan

Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has received the Guyana Medical Council report which recommends that Police Surgeon Dr. Mahendra Chand be suspended for two months.
Kaieteur News was told that the report was sent to Dr. Ramsammy on December 31.
However, Minister Ramsammy told Kaieteur News yesterday that he received the document on Saturday and that he had not yet perused its contents.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

This newspaper understands that the Council members have stuck to their original decision regarding Dr. Chand’s suspension for what they deemed to be his unprofessional conduct while treating the then 14-year-old torture victim at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.
Sources within the Medical Council also sought to clear up the confusion over whether they had received a response from the errant physician.
A member explained that after its investigation, the Medical Council had informed Dr. Chand in writing of its findings and had asked him to respond.
According to the Council member, Dr. Chand had responded in writing asking the Council not to sanction him.
After the Council had decided upon its two-month suspension, Dr. Chand was again asked to respond in writing to this decision.
According to the Council member, Dr. Chand sent back his original letter to the Council, which reportedly reached the Council ‘late’ on December 29.
Kaieteur News had reported that Director of Medical and Professional Services Dr. Madan Rambarran had proposed to the Guyana Medical Council that Dr. Chand be given “a stern warning,” rather than being suspended.
He has also suggested that the physician, undergo a course on medical ethics, while acknowledging that the doctor’s performance “did not conform to the expected standards of ethical and professional practice”.
In his letter to the Medical Council, Dr. Rambarran stated that he had “noted the conclusions of the Medical Council in its enquiries into the conduct of Dr Mahendra Chand in respect of his attendance of Mr. T. Thomas who was allegedly tortured. “Together with Mr. Bert Whyte, Personnel Manager, GPHC, I spoke with Dr. Chand about this matter.
“I do agree that Dr. Chand’s performance did not conform to the expected standards of ethical and professional practice. However, Dr. Chand has never previously had any negative reports nor was he investigated for any practice- related issues. In mitigation, Dr. Chand was called to see the patient outside his usual working hours and outside his usual clinic setting. Additionally he did prescribe appropriately and recommended that the patient be taken to hospital.
In the circumstances I am proposing that GPHC have Dr. Chand undertake a course of study on medical ethics and professionalism under the supervision of Dr. D. Joseph. (Dr. Joseph does a module on medical ethics for the Post Graduate Diploma in Surgery). Dr. Chand would also be given a stern warning,” the letter concluded.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur News was told that some Council members have also suggested that Dr. Chand be “rotated back” through the hospital and another doctor be assigned to his position as Police Surgeon.
It has also been suggested that there be a rotation of competent doctors to the post of Police Surgeon.
According to a source, Dr. Chand had conceded during the hearing that he had acted unprofessionally while treating the then 14-year-old lad, whose head was covered with a bag at the time.