Fired doctor sues Ministry of Health

A doctor from Canada who was hired by Palau’s Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) early this year and fired on August 1st, filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health for breach of contract and for preventing her from reporting malpractice.

Dr. Lina Al Gahamdi who was reportedly employed by the Ministry of Health as an Emergency Room (ER) doctor filed a lawsuit against MHHS before she left Palau on August 31, 2023.  Sources say she left Palau claiming intimidation and harassment by Ministry of Health officials and Immigration officials. 

The information shared with Island Times said the lawsuit was filed on August 28 against MHHS officials and sought damages for wrongful termination, loss of employment, and distress.

According to a source, Dr. Gahamdi alleged in her lawsuit wrongdoings and malpractice in the Emergency Room.  She also alleged that she reported the incidents but instead of actions taken to address the reports, actions were taken to terminate her employment. 

Reportedly,  Dr. Gahamdi cited examples of malpractice in her lawsuit. The press release issued yesterday by the Office of Attorney General and MHHS,  said Tia Belau publisher Moses Uludong had informed the Attorney General of his decision to publish an article on the lawsuit.  At the time, the article had not been published, and it was not known what the contents of the article would say.

 The Ministry of Health and Human Services, with the Office of the Attorney General, moved to file a TRO preventing the publication of the story and to seal the case, citing the need to protect confidential patient information.

 “On August 29, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS), through the Office of the Attorney General, filed an Emergency Motion to Seal the Complaint filed by Dr. Lina al Gahamdi and a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order seeking to prevent Dr. al Gahamdi from disclosing confidential patient information.” stated press release from the Office of the Attorney General yesterday.

The court granted the Temporary Restraining Order at 9:05 p.m. on September 6, 2023, saying it’s to protect confidential patient information from being published in the newspaper in violation of ROP law.

“Plaintiff is hereby ordered NOT to disclose confidential patient medical information to any person or entity other than the Palau Board of Health Professional within the Ministry of Health and Human Services and solely for the purpose of reporting medical malpractice or other acts subject to disciplinary authority of the Board,” stated the court order.

The government is yet to respond to the civil complaint and Dr. Gahamdi has left the country.