A shocking case in Manchester has raised urgent questions about medical ethics and professional responsibility. Dr. Suhail Anjum, an anesthetist working at a hospital near Manchester, was accused of leaving an unconscious patient under supervision while engaging in sexual activity with a nurse inside an operating theatre. The details emerged during a hearing before the UK’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS).
What Happened
According to testimony, the married doctor briefly asked a colleague to monitor the sedated patient, before stepping away to another operating room where he engaged in sexual intercourse with a nurse. The act was later reported by the nurse herself to hospital authorities, prompting an investigation.
Although the patient was unharmed and the surgical procedure continued without complication, the incident has been described as a flagrant violation of medical ethics. Trust, integrity, and patient safety the very pillars of healthcare were jeopardized by this reckless act.
The Doctor’s Response
During the tribunal, Dr. Anjum admitted to having sex with the nurse but denied that the patient was left without proper care. He insisted that another qualified medical professional was present and that the patient was never placed in danger. Nevertheless, the tribunal emphasized that such behavior in an operating theatre is completely unacceptable, regardless of whether harm occurred.
Why It Matters
The case has ignited public debate not only about professional standards but also about the culture inside hospitals. While personal relationships between colleagues are not unusual, indulging them during surgery when a patient’s life and dignity are literally in one’s hands crosses a line that society cannot ignore.
The tribunal’s final ruling could have far-reaching consequences for Dr. Anjum’s career, potentially ending his license to practice medicine in the UK. For many observers, the case serves as a stark reminder that even in environments built on science and discipline, human weakness and poor judgment can create scandals that shake public confidence in healthcare systems.
