I read with deep and grave concern about the actions of two Senior Doctors in the Singapore Medical Community, Dr Julian Ong and Dr Chan Herng Nieng in a recent defamation law suit made against Dr Ong by a woman who also happen to be an ex-patient of the other doctor, Dr Chan.https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/surgeon-loses-defamation-suit-against-woman-who-claimed-he-and-another-doctor-took-sexual

According to the article, Whatsapp messages on Dr Chan's phone shows that Dr Ong had a part to play in passing patient contacts to Dr Chan, and instigating him to have sex with his patients and even was cited to tell Dr Chan to 'feel free to play your game' for one of the patient that he had recommended Dr Chan to have sexual relations with. The act of exchanging patient contacts without patient's prior consent is a major breach of patient confidentiality and privacy and would be seen as a serious infringement of medical ethics.

Additionally, the article also wrote that Dr Chan was in a close relationship with Ms Serene Tiong while she was his patient and was also prescribing medications to her as her doctor at some point. It was apparent that Dr Chan is involved in a dual and conflicting relationship with his patients, clearly crossing the boundaries of a patient-doctor relationship. Having intimate relations with a current/former patient reflects a major power imbalance within the relationship and this adversely affects the therapeutic alliance formed in any helping relationship. Psychiatrists are obliged to exercise duty of care towards their patients and the relationship is often built on high trust levels similar to that seen in a father and daughter relationship. Having close relationships patients, current or former, also violates the code of conduct laid down by Singapore Medical Council which members have to abide by strictly. Such misconduct is grossly unbecoming of any medical professional and should not be condoned. 

In a press statement released on 22 April 2020 (https://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider2/publications-newsroom/press-releases/2020/smc-statement-safeguards-in-place-to-protect-patients-of-doctors-investigated-for-sexual-offences_2204.pdf), the Singapore Medical Council stated that they "acted immediately to secure signed undertakings from both Dr Chan and Dr Ong to refrain from contacting female patients for purposes outside the scope of their medical practice, pending the completion of the disciplinary process against them", but such action taken was merely a light slap on the wrist as both doctors are still able to practice while investigations are still ongoing and this could compromise patient's safety and hence further erode public's confidence in the medical profession. It was surprising to note that the doctors were not suspended from their duties while the investigations are ongoing, as had been the case for many other similar cases brought up to SMC or any other professional regulatory bodies. In addition, it has been 22 months since the case has been brought to SMC for investigation, and SMC's Disciplinary Tribunal to date had not concluded the case against the two doctors. This is clearly unacceptable for any professional regulatory body. Any further delays in SMC's ruling against the two doctors would also greatly undermine trust and public confidence towards medical practitioners.

I strongly urge the Singapore Medical Council to take immediate and decisive action in this alleged case of professional misconduct and to immediately revoke the practicing licences of these two doctors if they are found to have violated the code of conduct laid down by SMC, so as not to further erode the level of public faith and trust towards medical practitioners.