An Indian-origin doctor in the UK is facing allegations of performing an unnecessary surgery on a woman that amounted to suspected female genital mutilation (FGM), a procedure illegal in the country.
Dr Sureshkumar Pandya, who appeared before a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing in Manchester, is also accused of not having practised gynaecology since 1994.
A Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service notice said: “The panel will inquire into the allegation that Dr Pandya undertook a surgical procedure on a female patient’s genital area, the result of which was equivalent to female genital mutilation.”
“It is also alleged that Dr Pandya’s record keeping did not meet the required standards.” According to the ‘International Business Times’, the hearing is scheduled to last until April 11 when Pandya faces being struck off. Pandya performed a labia reduction on the woman, referred only as A, on March 8, 2012.
The National Health Service defines FGM as procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The procedure is illegal in the UK.
(Source:IANS)
