LIZ CALLIGEROS
A doctor whose schizophrenia saw him acquitted of 27 sexual assault charges has been allowed to return to his practice next to a children’s play centre.
The doctor was charged after police investigated allegations from 18 complainants, 17 patients and a female staff member.
Marlene Eziuzor, 51, is one of the women who was assaulted by the doctor during a visit to his old practice in Wynnum to check on her frequent headaches.
Ms Eziuzor said she wasn’t aware of the outcome until she recently learnt the doctor had been registered to work at the McDowall Family Medical Centre in the North Brisbane suburb of Everton Park.
“They’re saying he’s stable now but being the victim of what happened I feel that he shouldn’t be practising, period,” she told Channel Nine.
“Because he’s already done it once, what’s going to stop him from doing it again?”
The doctor was first diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1998 but allowed to continue practising subject to monitoring conditions.
The conditions were removed in 2003 and the practicing doctor stopped receiving treatment in 2008, which lead to a relapse in 2012. This is when the string of complaints occurred.
Parents in the area have received no warning as the doctor returns to practice next door to a popular indoor play centre in Everton Park.
Brisbane mum Myja Delalic has taken her two children, both under the age of four, to Chipmunks Playland in the past.
“He shouldn’t be allowed to work, especially next to a play centre. Mums are often sitting in the cafe and leave the kids to play alone. This just shocks me,” she said.
The doctor’s case was referred to the Mental Health Court in 2013, which found that he was suffering from “unsoundness of mind” at the time of the alleged offences.
This acquittal allowed him to keep practising under a range of conditions including that he keep taking medication to prevent another relapse.
Chipmunks Playland worker Meg Thomas, is disturbed by the information.
“I feel disgusted that someone with that history is so close to my work and even in the area, let alone still practicing medicine,” she said.
“I will definitely be spreading the word to my friends, family and customers at my work to avoid that [medical] centre as much as possible.”
Marlene Eziuzor is reminded daily of the events of her consultation with the doctor four years ago.
“I actually suffered PTSD, anxiety, depression and insomnia. I’m lucky if I have two hours sleep a day,” she said.
Authorities have confirmed the doctor will undergo testing to ensure he is taking prescribed medications.
The McDowall Family Medical Centre is unavailable to comment at this stage.