Cosmetic surgeon Dr Mohamad Anwar fined $100,000 plus costs
A DISGRACED cosmetic surgeon accused of bungling operations on at least a dozen patients has been hit with an Australian record fine after being convicted of treating patients without medical registration.
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A DISGRACED cosmetic surgeon accused of bungling operations on at least a dozen patients has been hit with an Australian record fine after being convicted of treating patients without medical registration.
Despite having his Australian medical registration suspended on August 19, 2016 over concerns for patient safety, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today found Dr Mohamad Anwar continued to illegally treat patients for several weeks.
The Malaysian-trained doctor — who also practised under the name of Dr Faizal Anwar — pleaded guilty and was convicted of four charges of ‘holding himself out’ as a registered medical practitioner, was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay the legal costs of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
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As revealed by the Sunday Herald Sun in August, at least a dozen women are also lining up to sue Dr Anwar and the clinic he formally worked in over facelifts, nose jobs and breast enlargements they claim have left them permanently scarred or deformed.
Dr Anwar was brought over from Malaysia in early 2015 to work as a cosmetic surgeon in a clinic, but had his medical registration suspended a year later due to fears for patient safety and left the clinic.
An AHPRA investigation found Dr Anwar breached its national law by continuing to see patients at the Victorian Cosmetic and Laser Clinic when he was not allowed to practise as a medical practitioner.
AHPRA chief executive officer Martin Fletcher welcomed the outcome as a strong message to anyone who thinks they can treat patients as a medical practitioner when they are not registered to do so.
“This is the single largest fine against an individual in Australia for claiming to be a registered medical practitioner when they are not under the National Law,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Patient safety is our clear focus and this outcome makes clear that AHPRA will use its full powers to prosecute anyone who is putting the public at risk through this unlawful behaviour.”
Mr Fletcher also warned all patients to ensure they were being treated by a registered health practitioner
Anyone with concerns they may be receiving treatment from a person who is not registered can raise a concern by calling 1300 419 495.
More to come