Renowned cardiologist from Pierre-Boucher Hospital Éric Sabbah, who called for a “great cleansing” of the Gaza Strip last November, admitted his guilt before the disciplinary council of the College of Physicians, which received more than 1,100 complaints from the population against him.
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The doctor found himself in embarrassment after openly wishing for the death of residents of the Gaza Strip on his Facebook page.
“It’s over for Gaza and Hamas. After two weeks of evacuation notice, it’s time for a big cleaning. Impossible to distinguish the good from the bad…”, wrote the specialist who has been practicing for 28 years.
His publication was then quickly removed from social networks. Reported by The newspaperhis comments triggered an outcry: 1,156 complaints against him were sent to the College of Physicians of Quebec, during the period from November 2 to 29 alone.
He had already been warned
In hearing before the disciplinary committee of the College of Physicians on Thursday, Dr Sabbah admitted his guilt on the charge of having committed an act derogatory to the honor and dignity of the medical profession.
The Dr Sabbah recognizes that “the words were poorly chosen, that the construction of the sentences was clumsy and that the text could have been confusing,” argued his lawyer, Ms.e Christine Kark.
“He will be extremely careful in his future publications,” she added.
This is not the first time that the College of Physicians has intervened with Dr Sabbah. Last July, a few months before the facts with which he is accused, the doctor had received a letter from the College asking him to exercise “caution” and reminding him of his “ethical obligations” in connection with comments published on his Facebook page relatively to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Sabbah did not, however, contravene his code of ethics with these writings, which were not read during Thursday’s hearing.
$25,000 fine
Last November, the management of the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Montérégie-Est (which includes the Pierre-Boucher Hospital) vigorously condemned the comments of its doctor. However, the CISSS did not impose any other disciplinary measure.
For the sanction, both parties recommended the imposition of a fine of $25,000. The Disciplinary Council has taken everything under advisement and must render a decision within three months.
Mr. Sabbah had no disciplinary history.