A shocking case of an Australian doctor accused for jeopardizing the lives of nearly 50 women with hepatitis C at an abortion clinic has been capturing the attention of the medical fraternity. As per reports, the 61-year-old doctor, James Latham Peters, has been battling against almost 154 claims related to hepatitis C infection.

Following a 15-month investigation, the accused was released on surety of $200,000, cumulating to a massive scandal, at Melbourne magistrates’ court on Friday, embarrassing the medical community at the national level and further, crashing the trust of the patients over the respected profession.

The charge sheet filed in the court said, “The accused ... recklessly engage(d) in ... using and sharing intravenously administered anaesthetic drugs ... knowing he was infected with the hepatitis C virus, (which) may have placed person/s in danger of death”.

In addition, Croydon abortion clinic where he worked, the Medical Practitioners Board which retained his registration, and the Health Department are expected to face stringent action under the law, over their alleged involvement resulting in such medical crime.

While the accused is facing personal claims worth up to $430,000, the Health Department had reported that in addition to 4312 women treated by Dr. Peters between 2006-09, including 3302 from the Croydon abortion clinic, 241 more women were being treated at the clinic in 2008, but so far have not been contacted.