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The Australian IndianMedical GraduatesAs . sociation(AIMGA) hascondemnedtbeactionsof an Indian-origin man,vhowas caughtmasquerading asa doctor inNS\\7.

Theassociationsaidinarelease,"W/eat AllVfGA are disturbed and concerned about the recent news of a personwho wirb an allegedly stolenidentity managed to enter J\ustral.iaand withfalsedocumentation acquired medicalregistrationand wenton towork fraudulentlyasaJuniorMedical Doctorinthehospitalsystemint SW over aperiodof 11 years."

AThfGAPresidentDrSunilVyas told IndianLinktheactionsof tbe manindirectly taints Indiandoctorsaswell as rl1e Indian community.

"Posingas adoctor is onething, but activelypractisingas oneandperforming invasiveprocedurescouldwellbephysical assault,"hesaid."Thispersonprovided opinionthatpatientsreliedupon,andthus putthematrisk."

However DrVyas admittedthecase was notcommon.

"What'sreassuringischatJ\PHRA (AustralianHealthPractitioner Regulation Agency) is verystringentinassessing and grantingof registrationstanisboth tolocallyand overseastrainedmedical practitioners."

"\'(/ehavenoinformationof whether this manbadmedicalbackgroundof anysort," DrVyassaid."lewas onlyinthelastthree years apparently rbarhis actions became suspicious."

TheconartistShyam Acharya, whostole the identityof UK-based rbeumatologist Dr SarangChi.tale,has since been located in lndiaand faces a$30,000hneuponhis return.ThelSW HealthMinisterBrad Hazz.ardhasannounced aninquiry andsaid he wantstoseizeAcharya's $1.5 million North Ryde home.

Cardiologist DrYaduSingh, acommentator onIndian community affairsinhisrole asPresidenr of theFederarionof Indian Associationsof NSW (FIAN), said the punishment should be more stringent. "Nor justfines, ajail termshouldalsobe giventofake doctors,"hedeclaredina media release.

"Ir is notfor ustodecide puoishmenr," DrVyas said. "Itis uptorhe legal system todothat.Burwestronglysupportthe MinisterforHealthandtheregulatory authoritiesatbothstateand national levels in their effortsroinvestigaterl1ismatterso thatsuch incidentsdonotoccur infuture andtomaximisetheir effortsiobringingrl1e alleged miscreanttofacejustice."

He added.,'1nd.ianoriginmedical

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practitionershavealongbisroryof honourableand ethical servicenotjustin Australiaburalsow0rldwide."

Doctors must surely be one of India's largestexports, adoctorat arecentAIMGA eventdeclared.("Nocityis complete without aChinatown and Indian doctors," hejoked.)

"Itisinterestiogtonorerbesecond case thaternerged recentlyof afakedoctor inMelbournepractising unregistered ata cosmetic clinic," DrVyas observed."The clinic willbeliablethere,butthis man faked his documentsto getregistration andso his crimeisalot more significant."

RajniAnand Luthra