Indian born doctor wont face the axe today: Queensland Health

Indian born doctor Mohammed Asif Ali who was supposed to be sacked today from the Gold Coast Hospital, on charges of irregularities in his resume, wont be axed till the investigation are finalised, the Queensland Health Service has said.

Sydney, Aug 8 : Indian born doctor Mohammed Asif Ali who was supposed to be sacked today from the Gold Coast Hospital, on charges of irregularities in his resume, won't be axed till the investigation are finalised, the Queensland Health Service has said.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the ongoing investigation would not be finalised today.

"The department's Ethical Standards Unit is currently preparing a report," she said.

Dr Ali has admitted to lying on his resume and owning rubber stamps that could be used to forge medical testimonials.

Dr Ali has been given 21 days to show cause as why he should not be dismissed from Queensland Health Service.

His lawyer Neil Lawler said that he understood Queensland Health was now taking steps to sack his client.

"It seems they are in the process of sacking him. They are giving serious consideration to dismissal and I wouldn't be surprised if it was today," Lawler said.

Dr Asif Ali was registered to work in Queensland in September 2006 after moving from a job in the United Kingdom.

In case Dr Ali is sacked he will have 28 days to find another sponsor or lose his visa.

Dr Ali has admitted to lying on his resume and owning rubber stamps that could be used to forge medical testimonials.

Dr Ali, who has admitted forging an extra three months of employment history to gain employment in the UK, last week said he deeply regretted lying and feared his 457 work visa would now be cancelled as Dr Mohamed Haneef's had been.

The discovery was made when the Australian Federal Police interrogated the doctor over his relationship with another Indian born doctor Haneef, both of whom were junior doctors at the Gold Coast Hospital.

Dr Haneef's visa was cancelled after he was charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The charge against Dr Haneef was dismissed, and he has now returned to India.

ANI