Police in Egypt's Dakahlia Governorate have arrested a man accused of practising as a doctor for about 34 years using a forged medical degree and practising licence, according to Sky News Arabia and Gulf News.

The suspect, who has not been publicly named, was detained at a clinic in Demeira village in the Talkha district. Gulf News reported that a court in Talkha extended his detention by 15 days while prosecutors investigate alleged document forgery, impersonation of a medical professional and practising without a licence.

Documents under investigation

Investigators say the man presented a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery certificate dated 1992 and a licence to practise medicine, both of which are alleged to be forged. Gulf News also reported that he used a registration number belonging to another doctor. Sky News Arabia reported that he told authorities he holds no academic qualification. He allegedly presented himself as an internal medicine specialist and worked at small charitable clinics in Dakahlia and neighbouring Gharbia.

How the case came to light

Both outlets report that a professor at Mansoura University's Faculty of Medicine became suspicious after seeing prescriptions that combined several painkillers and multiple injections. The suspect claimed to be a Mansoura graduate, but his name was not found in the faculty's graduate records or in the Egyptian Medical Syndicate's register. When health officials asked him to produce his papers, he did not appear.

Dr Ahmed Zahran, a board member of the Medical Syndicate, said the suspect had previously worked as a pharmacy assistant and moved often between facilities, which helped him avoid scrutiny. Sky News Arabia noted that Egyptian law provides for up to two years in prison, a fine, or both for impersonating a doctor.

The allegations have not yet been tested at trial.

Lessons for clinics

The Syndicate has urged charitable centres and clinics to verify credentials rather than rely on certificates presented by applicants. Its website allows the public to check a doctor's registration number, qualification and speciality. The same principle applies anywhere: before engaging a clinician, confirm the licence with the medical regulator's live register and the degree with the awarding faculty, and treat a mismatch between the two as grounds to stop and investigate.

Sources

This News Desk report summarises information published by the sources above, written in our own words. Persons named in criminal matters are accused, not convicted, unless a court has ruled otherwise. To report an error, use our contact page.

EgyptFake DoctorForged Medical DegreeEgyptian Medical SyndicatePatient Safety

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