Are doctors in Singapore being disciplined fairly for wrongdoing?

Similar penalties for doctor who faked MCs and repeat offender who harmed patients

- Salma Khalik

The Singapore Medical Council's imposition of similar penalties for vastly different wrongdoings has caused a stir among doctors, with many concerned that judgment inconsistencies may be resurfacing. -ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

(ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG)

The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) imposed a three-year suspension in September on a young doctor for faking two medical certificates to cover two days of absence as a houseman in 2022.

This is the most severe penalty that SMC can impose on a doctor for wrongdoing, short of striking the person off the register.

In October, the council imposed a similar penalty on Dr Wong Yoke Meng, a doctor with 40 years of practice. He inappropriately prescribed hormone replacement therapies to 18 patients, causing actual harm to at least three of them. He had been punished by SMC for other breaches in 2001, 2011, 2015 and 2024.

The fact that SMC's disciplinary tribunals (DTs) had imposed similar penalties for vastly different wrongdoings has caused a stir among doctors. Many of those who spoke to The Straits Times were concerned that judgment inconsistencies, which prompted the Ministry of Health (MOH) to intervene in 2019, may be resurfacing. At that time, MOH had ordered a review of the sentencing process and called for the establishment of guidelines.

While both doctors in the recent cases are at fault, some doctors told ST that the offences should not be viewed as equally serious.

One doctor faked two MCs to cover the two days she did not turn up for work. The other one, who had previous records of misconduct, administered unnecessary treatments for financial gain and caused harm to patients.

In 2019, then Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Parliament: "Some sentences are not commensurate with the circumstances of the case. Despite their best efforts, some DTs are too lax, whilst others are too draconian."