The Public Ministry today pushed for a 'guilty' verdict for the Dutch ophthalmologist Dr. Franciscus Versteeg who ran the I-QMed clinic in Lagoa’s business park.
Prosectors consider that Dr Versteeg "committed gross negligence" in the treatment of four people undergoing eye surgery in 2010 which left them with varying degrees of visual impairment.
The prosecution alleges that the patients were left partially blinded after being operated on at the I-QMed clinic.
The Doctor’s lawyer disagrees with the prosecution’s push for a prison sentence and has said that should Dr. Versteeg be found guilty, then a fine would be the appropriate penalty.
Dr. Versteeg’s patients have claimed a total of €200,000 in the Portimão court.
According to the prosecution, Dr. Versteeg failed to carry out proper disinfection and cleaning of the premises and operating area when he carried out surgery in July 2010.
Dr Versteeg has remained in Holland due to 'financial constraints' and is being represented in Portimão court by a nominated lawyer.
The case caused widespread concern at the time with patients having to be transferred to the public health service for treatment.
