The Ministry of Health is launching an investigation into the claim made by the owner of a hair loss clinic, who goes by the name “Dr. Raj,” regarding his medical credentials, despite not being a registered medical doctor in New Zealand.
Rupinder Singh Sidhu, the owner of SRS Hair Clinic, asserts that he holds a medical degree from India but has chosen not to seek registration in New Zealand. The controversy stems from a statement on the SRS Hair Clinic website, where Sidhu was referred to as a “third-generation doctor.” This description was removed after an anonymous complaint was filed with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in June.
The complainant, who is a medical doctor and preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concerns that the wording on the website could mislead the public about Sidhu’s qualifications. She had initially believed that Sidhu was a registered doctor and was alarmed when she discovered otherwise, fearing that vulnerable patients might be misled.
SRS Hair Clinic operates three hair loss treatment centers in Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga. Sidhu’s description as a “third-generation doctor” remains on the Australian version of the clinic’s website.
Daughter Raissa Sidhu, who works at the Auckland clinic, defended her father’s use of the title “Dr. Raj.” She claimed that her father had a medical degree that allowed him to use the title and argued that the title “doctor” was not protected. She also stated that the website clearly indicated that he did not practice as a medical doctor but as an alternative medicine doctor. Furthermore, Raissa Sidhu mentioned that her father had been retired for a decade, and the reference to him as “Dr.” had been removed, although it still appears in the SRS logo, which is trademarked.
Raissa Sidhu explained that her father’s background and focus were in natural medicine, and he had never practiced as a medical doctor or registered as one in New Zealand. She suggested that the complaint arose from dissatisfaction with him using the title “doctor,” which she believed he was entitled to based on his degrees and studies in the field of alternative medicine.
The Ministry of Health, however, cited section 7 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, which prohibits unregistered individuals from doing anything that suggests they are a medical doctor or willing to practice as one in New Zealand. It also makes it an offense to use names, titles, or descriptions that imply an unregistered person is a medical doctor or other registered health practitioner.
The investigation will delve into whether the use of the “Dr. Raj” title by Sidhu complies with the applicable regulations and standards for healthcare professionals in New Zealand.
