RACIAL discrimination at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has been going on for years, according to one doctor, who has lost faith in the BHB or the Ministry of Health to deal with the problem.

In a letter to Health Minister Patrice Minors, written last August, the doctor suggested hospital rules did not apply equally to black and white physicians.

In the letter, obtained this week by the , the physician objected to the treatment meted out to black surgeon Dr. Council Miller, who is currently suspended.

The author of the letter said Dr. Miller had been "singled out for persecution professionally and personally".

It is understood that Dr. Miller's future hinges on a hospital disciplinary hearing to be held next month. But Dr. Miller reportedly believes the case is unfounded and he has informed the Human Rights Commission and the Government Ombudsman of his complaint.

The letter writer cited Dr. Miller's case together with a list of examples of black doctors who had left KEMH and white ones, whom he claimed had got off lightly for serious misconduct, including allegations of insurance fraud, sexual harassment and "getting high" on the job.

The doctor started his letter thus: "I am writing to express my concerns on the practice of racial discrimination at KEMH, which is perpetuated by the BHB in spite of the fact that the majority of its members is black.

"This is not a new problem but one which has been going on for years ? only the faces have changed."

The letter went on: "This type of behaviour has been brought to the attention of the present as well as previous boards and nothing has been done to reverse the process. Hospital rules and regulations do NOT apply equally to black and white physicians ? I have even asked for both copies."

The physician also told Ms Minors that some physicians, in administrative positions, would "use any means necessary to enhance his or her economic progress".

He added: "There is a cartel of physicians who are currently or who have been in administrative positions, who consider themselves to be 'The Untouchables'. "They will go to extraordinary levels to advance their economic position and to perpetuate racial discrimination policies."

He mentioned the case of Dr. Chaikou Bah, a black Canadian surgeon, who was banned from operating at KEMH in 1998 and contested the ban in court.

Two Canadian specialists, Dr. Charles Sorbie and Dr. Marcel Dvorak, claimed Dr. Bah was not properly qualified to perform spinal surgery.

The letter writer said Dr. Bah had been the victim of "trumped-up charges" and added: "It got to the point he gave up the fight and left."

The letter went on: "Two black cardiologists have come and gone (Drs. Sahay and Mohammed). A black female oncologist has come and gone even after being chastised by a subordinate nurse."

He also mentioned a black female anaesthesiologist who "was harassed to the point she had to take medical leave".

On the other hand, the doctor wrote, "there are incidences involving white physicians which are treated differently ? hidden, swept under the carpet, or buried".

He listed alleged misdemeanours committed by three doctors, all of whom had been asked to leave without any other action taken.

One had fondled the breast of a nurse, the doctor alleged, and was "quietly dismissed", having told patients he would be on leave for a year.

Another, the letter alleged, had been caught "getting high" after treating a patient that he had to return to. Another doctor had to be brought in to deal with the patient, the letter writer said. He added: "He was allowed to leave without any ramifications."

In a third case, the physician claimed that a white doctor "was discovered to be allegedly committing insurance fraud. He was allowed, or should I say told, to leave."

The doctor concluded his letter to Ms Minors thus: "I implore you, as Minister, to hastily address the numerous as mentioned above.

"At present moment myself, along with a few knowledgeable physicians have no faith in the Hospital Board and its agents, the Medical Council or the Health Ministry."