Accused fake doctor vows to continue treating patients
A woman accused of being a fake doctor made a bizarre appearance in court after a judge threatened to “send a divvy van” for her. But despite facing 22 charges of falsely claiming to be a registered doctor, she has vowed to continue treating patients.
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A woman accused of being a fake doctor has vowed to continue treating patients at her Melbourne cosmetic clinic in defiance of medical authorities.
Aliaa Sherif fronted court on Thursday to face 22 charges of falsely claiming to be a registered doctor while carrying out cosmetic injectables and other treatments at her Mt Waverley clinic.
Despite calling herself “Dr” – and describing herself as a “specialist haematologist who is also a qualified anti-ageing medicine specialist” in advertising for her Good Life Anti-Ageing clinic – the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency alleges Ms Sherif has never been registered to practise medicine in Australia.
Ms Sherif failed to attend the start of a bizarre on-again off-again day in Ringwood until magistrate David Starvaggi warned he would “send a divvy van” for her.
When Ms Sherif arrived an hour later her representative requested a 15-day hearing, stating it would be a long process to cross examine witnesses because her client needed an Egyptian translator.
But during a break outside court, just minutes later, a defiant Ms Sherif spoke to the media in English, vowing she was a trained doctor who had undertaken medical training in Egypt before sitting medical exams in Australia.
“I am not lying. I am a doctor and I have had the exams here – AHPRA will pay for that, AHPRA will pay for that,” Ms Sherif said.
“I do laser and dermafills like any beauty therapist.
“I have a license from the companies I bought the machines from and I have training certificates from America’s Academy of Aesthetic Medicine here in Australia.
“I have skills and I will continue practising because all what I am doing is legal.”
Ms Sherif’s name does not appear in the registration list of Australian medical practitioners.
After several more adjournments, Mr Starvaggi ordered a Ms Sherif to stand a five-day hearing starting on July 27 which could involve more than 20 witnesses.
Ms Sherif’s representative indicated she would fight all charges as well as the legality of the way AHPRA gathered evidence.
After the hearing Ms Sherif’s husband Faris Muharram said his wife was a qualified doctor in Egypt.
However, he said the treatments she performed at her clinic did not require medical registration.
“She is a doctor in Egypt, she has been a doctor for the last 20 plus years,” he said.
Services listed on Good Life Anti-ageing clinic’s website include dermal filling and face lifting, wrinkle injections, lip enhancements and rejuvenation.
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Ms Shrif’s website also states her clinic is “run and owned by a doctor” with “stringent standards and practices”.
“Dr Aliaa Sherif has created Feel Young Again Clinics to address the need for natural anti-ageing solutions in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne,” the Good Life Anti-ageing website states.
“She is a Haematology specialist who is also a qualified anti-ageing medicine specialist.
“With over 10 years of professional experience overseas and in Australia, and keen eye for aesthetics, Dr Sherif has an in-depth understanding of her clients needs and of the many surgery-free solutions available.”