Queensland hospital chief says `Dr. Death' appeared to be a "missionary"

Brisbane (Australia), Feb.10 (ANI): Dr. Kees Nydam, who was the administrator at Queensland's Bundaberg Hospital when controversial Indian-born surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel was hired, has said that the latter appeared to be a missionary, and therefore, was hired.

Nydam said the staffing situation when Patel joined the hospital was "chaotic" and he agreed with prosecutor Byrne that Patel could have been the only surgeon on call "day after day".

Nydam told Byrne that he would not have been surprised if Patel performed 1200-1400 operations during his time at the Bundaberg Hospital.

Nydam told Byrne there was no formal or non-formal orientation for doctors when they joined the hospital staff.

"It was assumed you would get it from your peers," he said.

Nydam said he had believed the Health Board would have checked on Patel's CV.

Nydam said Patel claimed he wanted to come to Australia because he was bored in his retirement in the US.

"He led me to understand he was looking for a position where he could be giving something back . . . an opportunity to teach. His attitude was he wasn't doing it for the money," Nydam said.

Nydam said that at no stage did Patel mention the disciplinary actions he had faced in the US. (ANI)