KEY POINTS:
A gynaecologist working for the Whanganui District Health Board has resigned after six of his 32 patients became pregnant after he had sterilised them.
The doctor, named by TVNZ's One News as Roman Hasil from the Czech Republic, resigned on Monday.
He had been on leave from the hospital since October last year.
Dr Hasil performed 32 sterilisations by "keyhole" surgery, which involved placing metal clips on both fallopian tubes in order to prevent the egg from reaching the womb and being fertilised.
Board chief executive Memo Musa said a woman who had become pregnant after the surgery called the board in February with her concerns.
"That prompted staff to carry out an audit of the number of women who had been sterilised and how many had become pregnant since October 2005."
Board spokeswoman Jo Greig said the audit was continuing.
"We are hoping to have examined all the women's files by the end of the week."
Twenty of Dr Hasil's 32 patients had so far chosen to have an outpatient appointment with another gynaecologist to look at options, Ms Greig said.
"Through this whole thing, the women have come first. We've been offering them counselling, paying for the doctors visits and anything associated with that."
Ms Greig said the board was also helping the women with the complaints system, such as how to make an ACC injury claim. "Were going to give them all the information they need to take it to the next step."
The women could lodge a complaint with the Health and Disability Commission but, as Dr Hasil had resigned, Ms Greig was not sure what action could be taken against him.
"We're extremely concerned about the situation."
- NZPA
