Clinic probed over use of ex-doctor's rubber stamp
Doctor files police report after learning his personal stamp was used without his permission
More than two weeks ago on July 14, police paid a surprise visit to a Veerasamy Road clinic in Little India.
For more than an hour, the officers viewed medical documents at New Medical Clinic.
The New Paper (TNP) understands the probe started as a result of a report lodged at Pasir Ris Neighbourhood Police Centre on the same day by a doctor who had previously worked at the clinic.
The doctor, who is believed to be one Dr Ng, alleges his personal rubber stamp containing his name, medical registration number and his signature had been used on medical forms without his permission.
He had worked briefly as a stand-in doctor between June 13 and 28 for the clinic, which conducts medical check-ups for foreign workers. These check-ups can cost between $25 and $60.
Under the law, medical examinations are required before foreigners are allowed to begin work or re-join the local work force.
MISUNDERSTANDING
The licensee for New Medical Clinic told TNP last week that the whole issue was a misunderstanding and there was no criminal intent.
The licensee, Dr Faizal Kassim, said: "This previous doctor didn't tell my staff he had quit the clinic and the chop was left (at the clinic). That's why my staff kept using the chop. They thought that Dr Ng was coming back.''
Replacement doctors had also signed medical forms without realising they were using Dr Ng's chop.
According to the licensee, Dr Ng told the clinic's director, Mr Daryl Loh, that he was quitting. But Mr Loh had forgotten to inform the staff and the licensee.
The whole episode began on July 13 when Dr Ng was alerted by a doctor from another clinic after two female patients came to his clinic for medical check-ups.
The other doctor learnt that thefemale patients required specialist reviews but they had been certified fit for work by Dr Ng, who denied approving their medical examinations.
One of them required "mitral valve surgery in order to prevent future complications which include heart failure and atrial fibrillation", according to a medical report by a cardiologist who had seen her.
In Dr Ng's police report seen by TNP, he said: "These patients are first time working in Singapore and had my personal stamp on their medical forms... But those two signatures which I saw, they were totally different from my signature and each other."
He made a police report the next day.
The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) website states employers must send their workers for medical screenings within two weeks of their arrival in Singapore.
A work permit will only be issued to a worker if a doctor certifies the worker fit for work.
The checks include the worker's medical history, clinical examinations and screening for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and syphilis.
A doctor is required to examine the worker when performing the full medical examination.
While working for New Medical Clinic, Dr Ng stated he had not signed nor approved any new work permit medical forms.
TNP understands Dr Ng was hired to deal only with workers' blood and X-ray test results, and that he was not required to see any patients. He said: "I only approved and signed those re-employment medical forms which are based on X-ray and blood test results."
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