THE NAKED TRUTH

Imagine this, if you are a woman. You walk into a shoe repairer’s shop and the man there says he thinks he can fix your problem but first step behind this screen and take your clothes off. You wouldn’t do it. You’d think he was weird or crazy or dangerous and you wouldn’t do it. But put the word ‘Doctor’ before his name and you would. That’s because you have faith in your doctor. And trust in your doctor.

And trust in regulatory bodies like the Medical Practitioners’ Board and the Australian Medical Association. And, when you are at your most vulnerable, when you suspect you have a lump in your breast or you are overdue for a Pap test, you rely on that trust and that faith.

That’s why a weekend story in the Sunday Herald Sun will chill you. A rapist doctor, who has list of serial offences going back ten years, has won an appeal to VCAT and can start treating patients again.

Even though the Medical Practitioners’ Board opposed his return and considers him unfit to practice. And you have to ask: what the hell is going on here?  Doctor (and I use the word loosely) Doctor Sabi Lil was first suspended in 1999 following complaints from seven women.

He was allowed to return to practice in 2000 but only permitted to treat male patients over 16.  He was allowed to treat women again later that year but soon after assaulted two female drug company reps and  in 2002 was given a suspended jail sentence for digital rape.

Five years ago his licence to practice was cancelled but now VCAT has given it back. Even though VCAT acknowledged that the Fijian-born doctor has character flaws –which include sexual obsessions-- shows no remorse and there was a risk of a mental illness relapse which could result in ‘inappropriate behaviour with women’.  Rape is not ‘inappropriate behaviour’. Indecent assault by a doctor is not ‘inappropriate behaviour’. They are crimes. This man should be barred for life. Even VCAT in its ruling concedes that Dr. Lal’s rehabilitation is ‘less than complete’.

Sure, there are restrictions. He can’t treat women or children under 16 and he must be strictly supervised and monitored. By whom?  I bet he won’t have a sign on the office wall alongside his diploma and a copy of the Hippocratic Oath saying’ I am a convicted sex offender’.

The medical profession is an honourable profession. By necessity it is based on a code of conduct and faith and trust. Sabi Lal is a disgrace to that profession. He should be banned from practicing for life.

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2008