As reported, several women have accused immunity specialist Jevgēņijs Ņikiforenko of sexual harassment during their visits to the doctor. Ņikiforenko, in turn, has turned to the police regarding the journalist reporting on the case. The police have received several applications from the doctor's patients, so a preliminary investigation has been initiated. Police do not reveal details in the ongoing case.
Latvian Radio found out that the Health Inspectorate recently received four applications by Ņikiforenko patients, which the Inspectorate has passed on to law enforcement authorities. In mid-January, the Health Inspectorate sent the General Prosecutor's Office and the police the materials of Ņikiforenko's case with a request to prohibit the doctor from performing the duties of a medical practitioner. Latvian Radio has found that Ņikiforenko does not currently have a ban on working as a doctor because a court ruling or a public prosecutor's statement regarding the application of criminal sanctions has not been received.
The Health Inspectorate explained this in a written reply: “We are informed that the Health Inspectorate has no reason to exclude Yevgeny Nikiforenko from the Register of Medical Persons until criminal proceedings have been concluded and that the court has not found the person guilty of committing a criminal offence, or to make a note in the Register of Medical Persons that a person has been prohibited from practising medical treatment. until the State Police has applied a safety measure: prohibition of specified occupation. '
Latvian Radio asked Ņikiforenko's workplace, the Biocon laboratory, whether he still worked there. The representative of the laboratory refused to comment.
Previously, several women had targeted the Health Inspectorate for alleged sexual abuse by Ņikiforenko. Latvian Radio found out that, after journalists' inquiries, the Inspectorate had destroyed the investigation materials. Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts commissioned a service inspection of the Health Inspectorate in relation to the destruction of materials. The Minister must receive the results by February 11.
