NEW YORK – An accused Indian doctor has taken charge of the top medical ethics body, The World Medical Association (WMA) as president here on Friday.
According to the details, Dr. Ketan Desai has faced conspiracy and corruption allegations since he was first selected in 2009 as a future president of the WMA.
Desai denies charges against him but his appointment in a top slot position raises questions over the standards of WMA.
In one case filed in New Delhi in 2010, Desai faces charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy for allegedly being involved in a conspiracy to obtain a bribe of 20 million rupees ($450,000 at the time) from a medical college.
In return, investigators allege Desai helped the school get permission from the Medical Council to add more students. When contacted last year, the college, which is not a defendant in the case, declined to comment.
Desai was jailed that year and his inauguration as the WMA president was suspended. He was later released on bail. In 2013, the WMA decided to lift the suspension after receiving assurances from the Indian Medical Association, which Desai once headed.
The Indian Medical Association also kept mum after being questioned about Desai’s appointment.
Based in France, the WMA sets ethical standards for physicians worldwide and represents millions of doctors. Known for its pioneering work in ethics, its members include the American Medical Association and the British Medical Association.
