Shocked overseas doctors fear backlash over accused medics in terror bombing attempts

Jul 4 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

OVERSEAS doctors are feeling uneasy after it emerged NHS employees were suspected at the centre of the terrorist bomb threat, a Mersey GP said last night.

Dr Sabyasachi Sarker, 62, is a member of the British International Doctors’ Association and practises at the Knotty Ash Surgery in East Prescot Road.

Originally from India, he has been living and working in this country for 35 years and came to Liverpool in 1973.

“Firstly, I’d like to condemn the attempted bombings,” he said.

“Both personally and professionally, I condemn what is happening at the moment.

“I am extremely shocked by the events of the past few days – as shocked as everyone else.

“It has been distressing to learn that those involved are from the medical profession and that they have worked or trained in the Merseyside area.

“I have spoken with other members of the British International Doctors’ Association and they are similarly shocked and outraged.

“We have looked into whether those arrested and being questioned were members of the association and it seems they were not.”

He added: “For any of us with an Asian or Middle Eastern appearance, there is a feeling of apprehension, of being under suspicion.

“As a medical professional with brown skin there is a feeling, possibly just paranoia, that people could be wondering if you are a potential terrorist.

“I am a Hindu and my religion is not particularly associated by the public with terrorism – but people don’t know my religion by looking at me.”

Dr Sarker added it was not the first time that doctors have felt under suspicion because of events.

He said: “Some GPs have gone through this sort of thing before.

“It is a very different example and does not involve ethnic origin but it was distressing for many of us when the Harold Shipman case was in the news.”