Regina doctor charged with 4 counts of sexual assault against female patients

A Regina doctor is facing four counts of sexual assault stemming from four alleged incidents involving female patients.

Sylvester Ukabam, 73, is a gastroenterology specialist working in downtown Regina.

Regina police say the charges against the doctor stem from a "lengthy investigation," which began with a woman coming forward with an allegation of sexual assault in 2017. 

"An adult female alleged her doctor sexually assaulted her, under the pretence of conducting a physical examination, in spite of her protests that the so-called examination was unnecessary and unwanted," police said in a news release circulated Friday. 

Police said an investigator learned that three other women had similar allegations against the doctor "with another authority," with incidents dating back to 2012. 

College says it was working with police

Bryan Salte, legal counsel with Saskatchewan's College of Physicians and Surgeons, said four patients complained to the regulatory body. He said the college was working with police on the issue. 

He recalled encouraging at least one complainant to contact police, saying the college will do so if there are concerns allegations against a physician could be criminal. 

"It's always unfortunate when there's enough evidence to justify a charge of unprofessional conduct against a physician or a charge of criminal conduct against a physician," Salte said. 

"It's not helpful to the image of the profession."

Doctor resigned before professional investigations were complete

Even though four patients complained to the college, it formally laid two charges of unprofessional conduct against Ukabam for the alleged sexual touching of two patients. 

In October, the college and the doctor struck an agreement. Ukabam agreed to relinquish his medical licence and never practice medicine again effective December 9 in order for his patients to have time to find other options. 

In exchange for resigning, the college agreed not to proceed with its investigation into the filed charges or are those that were underway, leaving some incomplete. 

Criminal charges don't change resignation date

Salte said Friday that nothing will change about doctor's resignation date in light of criminal charges being laid. He said the doctor has agreed to several measures, including not to perform physical examinations on female patients. 

"From our perspective we have done all that we can to ensure that there's nothing that may happen that's improper in relation to his practice until his practice winds down," said Salte. 

"There are a number of patients here who will have considerable difficulty finding another gasteonlogist."

The regulatory body says Ukabam did not admit to the unprofessional conduct , nor has it been proved through the course of a disciplinary hearing.

Police arrested Ukabam on Thursday without incident and released him. 

His first court appearance is schedule for December 31 at 9:30 a.m. CST