SINGAPORE: The Singapore Medical Council has suspended a haematologist for three months for failing to exercise due care on his patient.

A disciplinary inquiry against Dr Toh Keng Kiat was held after the patient's wife complained in August 2005.

Dr Toh, who was a consultant haematologist at K K Toh Clinic, had administered chemotherapy on the patient who was suffering from lymphoma between February and April of that year, without testing him for Hepatitis B as was the usual practice.

The patient was tested and diagnosed with Hepatitis B in May and was warded at Gleneagles Hospital. Dr Toh discharged the patient three days later although it was a potentially life-threatening condition.

The patient passed away 11 days later. The cause of death was certified as Hepatitis B with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a contributing condition.

Dr Toh was censured and ordered to provide a written undertaking to the Medical Council. His suspension took effect on October 30, 2009.


- CNA/so