First liposuction death in Singapore: Doctor struck off register, case referred for probe
(THE STRAITS TIMES SINGAPORE) - The doctor involved in the liposuction death of real estate firm boss Franklin Heng in 2009 has been struck off by the Court of Three Judges. Image credit via Straitstimes.com In its decision, the court warned this would be the presumptive penalty for doctors displaying serious misconduct or dishonest behaviour, unless there were exceptional circumstances. A second doctor, who assisted Dr Wong Meng Hang in the procedure, was suspended for 18 months instead of the original six months, in a definitive judgment where the court laid a sentencing framework in disciplinary cases for dealing with professional misconduct by doctors that results in harm to patients. The court, in a rare move, also ordered the case be reported to the Public Prosecutor so that Dr Wong and Dr Zhu Xiu Chun can be investigated for any relevant criminal offences that may have been committed, including that of causing death by a rash or negligent act. "While we express no vie