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An anaesthetist who works at a south-east Queensland public hospital is being investigated by his employer after it received complaints about homophobic and racist remarks he allegedly made on social media.
Anaesthetist Anoop Jain, who works for Metro South Health and in private practice based north of Brisbane, is accused of calling comedian and doctor Michael Akadiri an ape after commenting on the size of his nostrils. He also allegedly told Akadiri “don’t be homo”.
The comments were made on a now-deleted Facebook profile using Jain’s name, where the poster identified himself as an anaesthetist who assisted on dental procedures.
The photo used on the profile with Anoop Jain’s name that commented on the British doctor’s posts.
Moreton Bay Anaesthesia, where Jain works, carries out dental work. He also formerly worked at New Wave Clinic, an online clinic that offers medicinal cannabis products.
When contacted by this masthead, Jain said, “I cannot speak to you”, and did not respond to a message inviting comment on the allegations against him.
Akadiri, a British doctor with a large following on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook, called on his followers to complain to Queensland Health and Australian health regulators, including Queensland’s Office of the Health Ombudsman.
Dr Michael Akadiri is a comedian and doctor based in the UK.
A spokesperson from Metro South Health, the division of Queensland Health covering public hospitals in southern Brisbane, Logan and Redlands, confirmed an employee was under investigation for inappropriate remarks on social media.
“We take these allegations seriously and have immediately commenced an investigation. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful health service and workplace, and we strongly condemn all forms of racism and homophobia.”
The Office of the Health Ombudsman cannot comment on or confirm individual complaints, a spokesperson said.
“Health practitioners must adhere to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, which includes maintaining professional conduct and ethics while using social media,” they said.
The spokesperson encouraged anyone with a complaint about a health practitioner or health service to contact the OHO on 133 646 or via its website.
In videos shared to his social media accounts, Akadiri said reporting Jain was “not just a case of revenge”.
“I’ll never bump into this man. He’s on the other side of the world. It’s that there are people in Australia who have a similar hue to me that could be under his care,” he said.
This masthead has contacted Moreton Bay Anaesthesia, the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists for comment.
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