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Former Patients React To Restraining Order In Hepatitis C Investigation

KTNV, Channel 13 News April 29, 2008

Two doctors linked to the hepatitis C exposure are facing punishment for the first time.

The Board of Medical Examiners says they knew or should have known they were putting thousands at risk.

The State Attorney General has filed a temporary restraining order against Doctor Depak Desai and Eladio Carrera.

A judge could sign the restraining order as soon as Tuesday

Action News reporter Heather Klein explains the details.

The restraining order is for the doctor's medical licenses.

Both doctors face ten counts each including violating patient trust and medical malpractice.

Some of the doctor's former patients who are now positive for hepatitis C say this is a step in the right direction.

"He is the nastiest man I have ever met and those are nice words," explained former patient Shara Edwards.

Obviously, there is no love lost for Shara Edwards and her former doctor Dipak Desai.

"He violated every bit of our life from beginning to end to give us these diseases," said Edwards.

Shara tested positive for Acute Hepatitis C.

She is now one of Robert Eglet's clients and is suing Desai's practice.

While she is thankful the complaint charges include malpractice, violating patient trust and bringing the medical profession into disrepute is still not enough.

"I think he ought to have the blood tests and shots that I have to," said Edwards.

The complaint will not give her that but as Eglet explains it more than likely will keep Dipak Desai and Eladio Carrera from practicing.

"These are the surgeons, these are the captains of the ship over there, there the ones in charge of these surgeries and they are responsible for what is going on," said Eglet.

Now Shara says she is waiting for them to be held criminally responsible.

"I am hoping they can put him in jail along with his partners and everybody that worked in the clinic. They all need to go to jail," said Shara.

This is not a criminal complaint.

The State Board of Medical Examiners will present this before a hearing at which time the two doctors can fight for their license.

Stay tuned to Action News as we watch for new developments in the hepatitis C investigation.