Image: Yle

Police say the suspect had no medical training whatsoever, although he claimed to be in the final year of his medical studies. Police believe that the fraudster forged certificates in order to gain a foothold at the health centre. He he later continued the ruse at Karjaa Health Centre.

The man was arrested early this week under suspicion of aggravated forgery, fraud and unauthorized practice as a health care professional. A decision on whether or not to remand the poseur in custody is expected on Friday. A request for an inquiry into the man’s activities was made at the Vihti police station about one week ago.

Police have however said that the man posed no danger to the safety of his patients, as he worked under the supervision of a senior medical officer.

Medical Advisor Pirjo Pennanen of the health watchdog the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health VALVIRA said that health care recruiters do not always verify information or documents provided in hiring cases.

In an interview on YLE Radio 1’s Ykkösaamu programme, Pennanen said it was remarkable that the ruse was not even exposed when the man prescribed medication. She added that the practice of issuing medical students with their own unique identifiers filed in a central register was only introduced last year.

Prescriptions written by the fake doctor are being reviewed and patients who he treated are being contacted.

CORRECTION:

In an earlier version of this story, Pirjo Pennanen was misquoted as suggesting a camraderie existed between pharmacists and student doctors. This was a mistranslation of a statement and does not reflect her actual views.