Committee: Discipline
Decision Date: 24 Sep 2015
Summary:
On September 24, 2015, the Discipline Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario found that Dr. Iqbal committed acts of professional misconduct in that, in respect of four patients, he has engaged in sexual abuse, he has engaged in an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and he has failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession.
Ms A
Regarding Ms A, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal failed to maintain the standard of practice in respect of Ms A by failing to ensure her privacy (failing to leave the room while dressing and not ensuring appropriate draping) by performing examinations in the prone position; by performing intimate examinations that were unnecessary and in the manner he performed the intimate examinations.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal sexually abused Ms A during an office visit in May 2011, by repeatedly and forcefully moving his finger(s) in and out of her rectum in a sexual manner and without changing gloves, moved directly to insert his fingers in her vagina and again moved them in and out in a sexual manner, under the guise of medical examinations.
Ms B
Regarding Ms B, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession by failing to respect the privacy of Ms B (failing to leave the room while dressing and assisting undressing), and by performing an unjustified examination in an inappropriate manner.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal sexually abused Ms B by penetrating her vagina with his finger and moving it in a sexual manner. Further, while performing a cortisone injection, Dr. Iqbal sexually abused Ms B by having a finger in her vagina and massaging the area without medical justification.
Ms C
Regarding Ms C, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal failed to maintain the standard of practiceof the profession by failing to respect Ms C’s privacy, assisting her in removing her clothing, themanner and position he performed a perianal examination, and by inappropriately touching her vagina and clitoris during the examination.
In addition, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal sexually abused Ms C on the office visit of June 2011 by touching her vagina and clitoris in a sexually stimulating manner under the guise of a medical examination.
Ms D
Regarding Ms D, the Committee found that Dr. Iqbal failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession in respect of Ms D by not respecting her privacy when he remained in the room while she changed, and by performing inappropriate examinations of her vagina.
In addition, the Committee found Dr. Iqbal engaged in sexual abuse of Ms D in May 2011, by touching her lower vulva and separating her labia without clinical justification, and in June 2011, when he inserted his fingers into her rectum and vagina and moved them in a sexual manner under the guise of a medical examination.
The Committee found that Dr. Iqbal’s conduct with respect to these four patients, Ms A, Ms B, Ms C, and Ms D, would also reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional.
On October 20, 2015, the Discipline Committee ordered and directed that:
- the Registrar revoke Dr. Iqbal’s certificate of registration, effective immediately;
- Dr. Iqbal appear before the panel to be reprimanded on a date to be fixed by the hearings office which shall be no later than six (6) months from the date this Order becomes final
- Dr. Iqbal reimburse the College for funding provided to patients under the program required under section 85.7 of the Code, and shall post an irrevocable letter of credit or other security acceptable to the College to guarantee payment of such amounts within sixty (60) days of the date this Order becomes final, in the amount of $64,240.00
- Dr. Iqbal pay costs to the College in the amount of $49,060.00 within sixty (60) days of the date this Order become final.
On November 17, 2015, Dr. Iqbal appealed the decision of the Discipline Committee to the Divisional Court. In the circumstances of the case, the penalty remains in effect.
On December 3, 2015, Dr. Iqbal abandoned the appeal of the decision of the Discipline Committee to the Divisional Court.
Decision: Download Full Decision (PDF)
Appeal: Appeal Abandoned
Hearing Date(s): May 19-22, June 1-5, June 16, 2015. Penalty hearing date: October 20, 2015