Edmonton medical sonographer charged with sexual assault of patient
Investigators believe Aasim Syed Ahmed, 53, may have assaulted other patients
Edmonton police have charged a 53-year-old medical sonographer with the sexual assault of a patient, and believe there may be other victims.
In a news release Wednesday, police said that in mid-2024 they became aware that the accused had sexually assaulted a female patient while he administered medical imaging.
The incident took place at a southeast Edmonton ultrasound clinic, police said.
Aasim Syed Ahmed was charged on Aug. 12 with one count of sexual assault.
Police said Wednesday that investigators believe Ahmed is still practising as a sonographer.
Other patients may have been sexually abused while receiving medical care from him, police said.
"Anyone who has been targeted by the accused" is encouraged to contact Edmonton police.
Diagnostic medical sonographers unregulated
In a statement to CBC, the Alberta College of Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists said it is deeply
concerned with the charges laid against Ahmed.
"The College is committed to the protection of public safety and promotion of the public interest within its regulatory sphere," it said in a statement.
"Regulation has invaluable benefits for members of the profession and the public, including managing complaints of unprofessional conduct."
Currently, diagnostic medical sonographers are not regulated as a profession in Alberta.
The college said it has been engaging with Alberta Health to change legislation and governing documents, which will enable the college to regulate diagnostic medical sonographers.
The college said once these amendments are made, registration of DMSs will become a requirement. The college will review the registration of DMSs. Also, complaints of unprofessional practice against DMSs will be made
to, and managed by, the College.
Mary Jane James, CEO of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, told CBC the situation is concerning.
"It takes a great deal of courage to report an incident of sexual assault, let alone an incident ... at the hands of someone who is in such a significantly greater position of power as this sonographer was," James said.