Nigerian Doctor Suspended In Canada For Making Sexual Comments While To Female Patients

A Nigerian doctor, Adekunle Williams Owolabi has been suspended for 6 months, by a disciplinary tribunal in Labrador West, Canada after he was found guilty of professional misconduct.

He was found guilty on Monday of all four counts of professional misconduct after four female patients accused him of making sexual comments, and of inappropriate hugging and kissing, CBC reports.

At the hearing, one of his victims, Arlene Johnson, testified that when she visited Owolabi for a pelvic examination, he made comments that she believed were sexual. She alleged that after the test, he hugged her and whispered in her ear:

“You have a beautiful c–t, does your husband tell you that?”

Another complainant testified that during a pelvic examination, Owolabi asked, “Do you like big ones or small ones?” She said Owolabi made the comments while she was pregnant, undressed from the waist down, and had her feet in stirrups. There were two female secretaries in the room at the time, she said.

In addition, the tribunal said Owolabi’s inappropriate comments and touching of patients showed a lack of respect for the dignity and privacy of patients, which constituted professional misconduct that is deserving of a sanction. He was given a six-month suspension of his medical licence.

The tribunal then ordered that he have a chaperone present when he sees female patients for two years after returning to practice.

Furthermore, he must complete training on appropriate doctor-patient boundaries, and pay $75,000 in hearing costs related to the investigation and disciplinary process. When he resumes practising, he must have a chaperone when seeing female patients for two years.

After the hearing Owolabi’s lawyer Paul Stokes said they are “disappointed with the decision”.

Photo credit: CBC