Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer for the Department of Health, wishes to advise that an initial blood test has indicated that Dr. David Ashby, a general surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, may have contracted Hepatitis C. A second confirmatory test is underway and final results are expected within four to five days.
As a result, Dr. Ashby has voluntarily withdrawn from performing surgical procedures at the Hospital until such time as a second test is completed and confirms whether the diagnosis is accurate. He will continue to see patients for consultation and follow up visits. Dr. Ashby is currently well with no symptoms of the illness and the positive test was found in association with a recent physical examination.
Dr. Sweet said, “The chance of acquiring the hepatitis virus during past surgical procedures is highly unlikely even if the diagnosis is confirmed. However, if the second test results are positive, we will be communicating the screening procedures that would be available to former surgical patients of Dr. Ashby as a precautionary measure for their reassurance.”
Hepatitis C is a virus which can cause hepatitis and often results in no symptoms of illness. There are a number of ways the disease can be transmitted. Basically a person’s infected blood must be in contact with another person’s blood. Even then, with respect to Hepatitis C, it is unlikely for the disease to spread.
“I commend Dr. Ashby for making the necessary ethical and moral decision by withdrawing from surgery. I understand that he notified his current patients of his decision,” said Dr. Sweet. “I know that this must be a challenging time for Dr. Ashby and we are certainly very supportive.”
“We are advising the public in advance of confirming the second test as some may have heard about the situation and it is important to communicate the facts as they are known,” added Dr. Sweet. ”We want to reassure the public that, even if a second test confirms the diagnosis, it is highly unlikely any patient has acquired Hepatitis C through any surgical procedure. We are not recommending that the public take any action at this time.”