Man posed as doctor for 6 months

An independent review will examine how a man who was not a qualified doctor was able to treat up to 400 patients at Alice Springs Hospital. Balaji Varatharaju, 29, was arrested last week after it was discovered he had been working as a general intern for about six months, under the supervision of senior doctors, but had never completed a medical degree. Charged with six counts of obtaining benefit by deception, uttering a forged document, making a false statement and possessing poison, Varatharaju appeared in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on Monday, where he was refused bail. It is understood Varatharaju had been doing a medically related science research degree at the University of Adelaide. NT Health Minister Kon Vatskalis told parliament late last week that documents sighted by the NT Health Board when they granted Varatharaju registration as a doctor had been certified by a South Australian Justice of the Peace. "Given serious concerns about his performance, further verification of his qualifications from University of Adelaide was sought, who confirmed the qualifications were not authentic," he said. A spokesman for the NT Health Department told News Limited that more than 400 patient files had been reviewed so far, but that Varatharaju had not performed any surgery. Mr Vatskalis announced there would be a full, independent review of the incident. He said external auditors would undertake the review, helped by a medical expert from Queensland experienced in the field. The review findings would be made public, he said. "I have already written to the Medical Board asking for a full explanation as to how this occurred, and seeking assurances that an incident such as this does not occur again. "I also asked the department to conduct its own review into processes." The review is expected to examine the incident in question, as well as the processes around registration and recruitment of medical personnel and the role of the Medical Board. Mr Vatskalis said the final report would make recommendations about improving processes, as national registration requirements approached. Varatharaju is expected to re-appear before the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on 15 March. AAP...