Hepatitis and HIV: Patients of a Laval doctor potentially exposed to risks of infection

Patients of a Laval doctor could be at risk of blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

An investigation conducted by the Deputy Ministry of Prevention and Public Health indicates that users who have undergone endoscopy or head and neck surgery by Dr. Adi Yoskovitch since 2002 could be exposed to this type of infection.

A reminder is being sent as a preventive measure to the patients targeted by this doctor specializing in ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgery.

Users subject to this recall have an estimated low to very low risk of having been contaminated by these three blood-borne infections.

Dr. Yoskovitch's practice locations, most of whose procedures have been performed in private offices, are located in the Laval and Montreal regions.

Only people who have undergone an endoscopy by Dr. Yoskovitch in a public establishment are affected by this recall.

A directive from the National Director of Public Health has been sent to Santé Québec to offer a preventive screening test to patients who have not had one six months or more after receiving an intervention targeted by the booster.

Complaints on file

Dr. Yoskovitch has already been ordered to pay $12,500 in fines, having been found guilty in 2019 of four counts, including "his manner of presenting himself, promoting his professional services and selling products of interest to health," according to the website of the Collège des médecins du Québec.

Among other things, he made false and misleading representations to the public, describing himself in particular as “the best surgeon on the North Shore of Montreal.”

Although Dr. Yoskovitch's status is still "active" on the College's website, his practice is listed as "limited."

The Laval doctor will face a disciplinary hearing before the Disciplinary Council in November.