London, March 21, 2005
Umrao Singh

NRI doctor, Mahesh Chandra, the general practitioner refused to treat a patient because he was not British citizen, an asylum seeker in Britain. Dr Mahesh Chandra said he was not obliged to give medical attention to an asylum seeker at Blackburn Road surgery in Bolton.

The GMC (The General Medical Council) , told the investigation's hearing committee the patient (Mr X) was a diabetic and was taken to the surgery by an asylum team member after suddenly falling ill in June 2001.

Mr. Orla Chung, who worked for the asylum team, said Mr X was "practically collapsing" when he was at the surgery.

Mr X who had come to Britain from the Democratic Republic of Congo, complained about his treatment to the Bolton Primary Care Trust, who referred the case to the GMC in April 2005.

Dr. Chandra said, "Dr Chandra does not accept the allegations of Mr X and he does not have any recollection of the incident itself."

Dr Chandra, told the committee the proposed warning was "unfair, disproportionate and inappropriate" and that he had been held in high regard by all his patients. Dr. Chandra, who studied medicine in India and has been practicing in Britain since 1971,

The General Medical Council (GMC) said his treatment of patients must be based on their needs and not on his views.

This warning will stay five years for Dr Chandra's registration.