ESTEVAN - The College of Physicians and Surgeons in Saskatchewan has suspended the licence of Estevan physician Dr. Mehdi Horri.
According to the college’s website, the suspension took effect on Jan. 11.
The college’s website did not give a reason for the suspension, and Horri’s name is not listed under the list of current or recent disciplinary cases. The college did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
Brian Salte, the associate registrar and legal counsel with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, said a suspension hearing was conducted on Jan. 10 to determine whether Horri should be allowed to continue practising.
“The decision of the executive committee was that he would be suspended under our legislation,” said Salte.
The suspension will continue until it’s reviewed by the council at its next meeting on Jan. 27 and 28. They could decide whether to continue it or reinstate Horri.
Horri has been in Estevan since 2012. His licence was revoked for nine months in Saskatchewan in 2017 and 2018, after similar actions were taken by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Horri was found to have engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient too soon after the termination of the doctor-patient relationship. The incident occurred while Horri was still practising in Ontario.
Salte noted that Horri is required to have a chaperone present during all interactions with female patients, stemming from the relationship with the patient in Ontario. The information presented to the council is that was not happening.
Also, a patient has complained about the nature of an examination that Horri performed, Salte said.
Then in 2020, he pleaded guilty to five charges under the Medical Profession Act for unprofessional conduct. He was suspended for four months. Four of those charges occurred in 2017 prior to his licence being revoked in Saskatchewan, and the other charge was from 2018.
Horri's latest suspension has generated plenty of discussion on social media. Most of those who have commented have voiced support for Horri. Many of his backers are patients.
SASKTODAY.ca will have more details as they become available.