Saint-Martin:--- The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy has confirmed the suspension of a hospital practitioner specializing in orthopedic surgery at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital (CHLCF) in Saint-Martin.
The ARS was informed of investigations conducted in 2012 and 2018 following rumors concerning this hospital practitioner. To the agency’s knowledge, those investigations did not lead to formal conclusions or were closed without further action.
In September 2016, the National Council of the Order of Physicians informed the Regional Council of the Order of Physicians of Guadeloupe that the practitioner’s exercise certificates and diplomas had been received and verified, authorizing him to practice medicine in the specialty of orthopedic and trauma surgery. At that time, no elements were found that called his professional background into question.
In August 2019, following information provided by the provisional administrators of the CHLCF, letters were transmitted to the Order of Physicians in accordance with its prerogatives concerning the verification of professional competence among practicing doctors.
In May 2025, the Departmental Council of the Order of Physicians of Guadeloupe (CDOM 971) referred the matter to the ARS, requesting the emergency suspension of the orthopedic surgeon based on radiographic evidence, citing the need to safeguard the quality of patient care in Saint-Martin and to prevent any potential risk of injury.
An inspection—conducted with independent experts in the discipline—was launched to review the case materials and interview relevant parties. This inspection did not recommend immediate or precautionary suspension measures by the Director General of the ARS.
In parallel, the Order of Physicians of Guadeloupe (CDOM 971) referred the case to the Interregional Council of the Order of Physicians for the Antilles-Guyane region to convene a restricted commission under Article R.4214-3-5 of the French Public Health Code, to evaluate any potential professional inadequacy.
This commission, composed of three experts (one designated by the Order, one by the practitioner, and a jointly appointed third expert), unanimously concluded on July 4, 2025, that the hospital practitioner did not display any professional shortcomings that would make the practice of his specialty dangerous, following an examination of the relevant medical files and explanations provided.
However, on October 22, 2025, the CDOM 971 transmitted to the ARS an attestation from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Conakry, Guinea, in response to a request for authentication of the practitioner’s general medicine and specialty diplomas. The Dean confirmed that the general medicine diploma was authentic, but that the specialty diploma submitted was falsified.
That same day, following a directive from the ARS, the management of the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital pronounced the suspension of the practitioner.
The ARS is closely monitoring any subsequent disciplinary or judicial proceedings that may result from the information brought to its attention on October 22, 2025.