SINGAPORE - A doctor has been fined $24,000 for failing to comply with a condition of his clinic licence by sending patients' specimens and samples to unaccredited medical laboratories overseas.
Dr Wong Yoke Meng, believed to be in his late 60s, has also been censured and must give a written undertaking not to repeat the offence. He also has to pay the cost of the hearing, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) said on Thursday (June 11).
In 2010, Dr Wong was also fined $24,000 by the then-Subordinate Courts after pleading guilty to the same offences, which took place between 2007 and 2009. He was then the licensee of Clinique Suisse at Paragon Medical Centre.
In its decision grounds, the medical watchdog's disciplinary tribunal said there was "neither any injustice nor unfairness to further penalties... as the proceedings in the court of law and the disciplinary tribunal were completely separate and distinct".
The tribunal found that Dr Wong's offences reflected a disregard for the health and safety of his patients.
It also noted that Dr Wong violated regulations in 2001 when he allowed his clinic to be used for cosmetic treatment in breach of the licence conditions by the Health Ministry.
Dr Wong's other previous offences include publishing misleading advertisements, and carrying out experimental treatment on a friend without explaining the consequences before getting his consent.
The SMC did not say where Dr Wong is currently working.
