Doctor Takes Pics of Female Patients

[TruckStopProductions]

A Tokyo doctor suspected of taking a digital photograph of a female patient after making her take off her clothes is being investigated on suspicion of harassment, it has been learned.

Police said the doctor worked as a chest and cardiovascular surgery official at Metropolitan Bokuto Hospital in Tokyo. They conducted a search at the hospital after receiving a complaint from the female patient, and have reportedly seized documents from the institution.

Investigators said the doctor examined the woman in July last year, while she was receiving treatment for thrombosis she suffered after undergoing a Caesarian section birth. When he saw her, he allegedly made out that he was examining the affected area and had her take off all of her clothes, then photographed her with a digital camera.

Since the doctor's actions differed from how regular ultrasound examinations were conducted and because there was no nurse present, the woman became suspicious. When she confronted the doctor, he reportedly handed her the photo files, police said.

The woman filed a complaint with police after talking with members of her family.

When questioned by the Mainichi over the doctor's actions, a hospital official said, "It's true that the police searched our premises on Feb. 24, but at present we are fully cooperating with investigators and we can't give any details."

In 2001, Metropolitan Bokuto Hospital became the first public hospital in Japan to open a 24-hour general emergency medical consultation division. In July last year, it opened a section specializing in afflictions for female outpatients. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, March 2, 2005)

[SmokeyTheBear]

wow thats interesting