In Finland, physicians who face censure for egregious offenses committed overseas maintain their authorization to practice medicine
In Finland, medical professionals only risk losing their credentials for offenses tied to their professional duties. Consequently, individuals convicted of rape and violent acts still possess the authorization to administer medical care.
Physicians are troubled that individuals convicted of serious offenses, including attempted homicide and child sexual abuse, committed in foreign countries, continue to hold active medical licenses in Finland. This situation arises due to a legal ambiguity, as reported by Yle, a media partner of OCCRP.
According to Finnish legislation, the authorities only regard a prison sentence for a criminal act as pertinent to a physician’s practice if the offense was carried out “in relation to their professional activities.”
Yle discovered that over 20 physicians, either prohibited or penalized in other nations, are authorized to practice in Finland. These include:
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Kwok Yun Lee: Forfeited his entitlement to practice in Norway following a determination of incompetence. Additionally, his license was revoked in the Netherlands. Subsequently, he received an 11-year prison term for attempted homicide and battery in Norway. He remains licensed in Finland, where he has previously worked, and also in Estonia.
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Martin Ahlström: Given a three-year prison sentence for child sexual assault in Sweden. Maintains his Finnish medical credential.
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Yusef Issa: Currently incarcerated in Sweden for offenses relating to tax and accounting irregularities. Previously lauded for producing counterfeit COVID certifications during the COVID-19 global crisis. No longer authorized in Sweden, he continues to hold his Finnish credential. He has altered his name five times since his initial conviction.
Journalists determined that 12 of the physicians listed as licensed in Finland, despite being banned abroad, had a scandalous past. Nine had been barred due to deficiencies that jeopardized patient well-being.
These disclosures are part of the Bad Practice investigation, conducted by OCCRP, The Times of the UK, and VG of Norway. Investigative reporters uncovered medical professionals throughout Europe and beyond who were prohibited for significant misbehavior, encompassing the infliction of mental and physical distress upon their patients. These individuals were able to relocate and resume their careers.
Reporters from Yle scrutinized the conduct and relocations of a physician found guilty in Sweden for possessing over 250 photographs and multiple videos illustrating child sexual abuse and child pornography—as well as for disseminating a single image. He has been employed at two healthcare establishments in Finland in recent years.
Michelle Haga recounted to Yle how she sought treatment from this physician for ear infections for her four offspring in 2022, completely unaware of his prior actions. “A medical professional implicated in such an offense should not engage with children or anyone else,” she expressed.
This physician, who received a brief suspended prison sentence in Sweden, had his license withdrawn there due to his conviction. His authorization was also rescinded in Norway. It is unknown if he is currently practicing in Finland or another location, but he still has his Finnish authorization. He has changed his name on two occasions in the last five years, reporters learned.
Finland’s national healthcare regulatory body, Valvira, launched an inquiry into the physician in 2022 after receiving notification from Sweden and Norway regarding their respective prohibitions. However, Valvira concluded that there was no basis for withdrawing his authorization.
Valvira indicated that it could not comment on specific instances but clarified that a physician can only lose their authorization for offenses committed within Finland and related to their professional role.
“A criminal act alone cannot serve as the foundation for this judgment… We are obligated to investigate the matter more comprehensively… There might exist supplementary grounds upon which we can intervene in the entitlement to practice a profession,” stated Mervi Koivuniemi, Head of Unit at Valvira.
Politicians and regulatory bodies in Finland are advocating for an amendment to national law to ensure that offenses committed overseas and within a physician’s personal life are taken into consideration.
“This requires examination. The question is whether these offenses committed during personal time can also be factored into the supervision of professionals in some way,” Koivuniemi mentioned.
“Specifically, severe offenses that pose a threat to life, health, and personal safety have been suggested, and I am confident that this will now be integrated into the comprehensive reform of the law and in the reassessment of this law,” Koivuniemi added.
Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health indicated that it was assessing the legislation concerning the oversight of physicians but declined to provide further details.
