Regina doctor who prescribed Ivermectin for COVID-19 lacks ‘adequate skill and knowledge’: CPSS

SHVETS Production/pexels.com A Regina doctor who was placed under supervision after admitting to unprofessional conduct must now take a “program of retraining” if he wishes to continue to practice medicine.

Tshipita Kabongo’s licence to practice medicine is to be suspended unless he adheres to a series of orders made by the body which regulates the practice of medicine in Saskatchewan.

Brandon Harder

Regina Leader-Post

A Regina doctor who was placed under supervision after admitting to unprofessional conduct must now take a “program of retraining” if he wishes to continue to practice medicine.

That is among the obligations placed on Tshipita Kabongo by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS), which regulates the practice of medicine in the province.

The decision follows a finding made by a “competency hearing committee” that stated Kabongo “does not have adequate skill and knowledge in the practice of medicine,” according to documents obtained by the Leader-Post. Lawyers made submissions on the issue during the last CPSS council meeting on Jan. 24. 

Kabongo previously admitted to unprofessional conduct after facing two sets of non-criminal CPSS charges.

One charge brought against him in 2023 was for failing to know and/or follow the CPSS Policy on Complementary and Alternative Therapies when he prescribed the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

Another set of four charges was brought against him in 2024. Of those, three pertained to his work with specific patients, alleging he “failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession.” The fourth charge was in relation to billing for his services.

The 2024 charges also made reference to inappropriate prescription of Ivermectin as well as cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, Vitamin B12, and supplements.

After his admissions regarding those charges, the CPSS imposed a penalty of a reprimand. It included a one-month suspension, a requirement to practise under supervision, and an order to pay costs associated with the investigation and hearing ($44,783.72).

A Jan 10, 2025 memorandum written by CPSS associate registrar Bryan Salte acknowledged Kabongo’s discipline history, but suggested it was “not relevant” in terms of the CPSS council’s decision on what to do about his competency.

Ultimately, the council ruled Kabongo’s licence will be suspended as of June 1, unless he provides proof that he has entered into “a program of retraining.”

“The remediation program Drexel Medicine® Physician Refresher/Reentry Program offered by Drexel University is a program of retraining that is satisfactory to the Registrar,” the CPSS council’s decision states, referring to a program run by a school based in the United States.

It goes on to explain that his licence will be suspended unless he completes such a program before Dec. 1, resulting in him “regaining adequate skill and knowledge” to practice medicine.

If the CPSS is not satisfied that Kobongo’s retraining has been successful, his skills are to be assessed, according to the decision. He is also to pay $10,985.00 in costs associated with the investigation and hearing, on or before Dec. 1, or his licence will be suspended until payment is received.

As of Monday, Kabongo’s licence was listed as being in good standing, though the CPSS website notes he is subject to a restriction allowing him to practice only under the supervision of an approved “duly qualified medical practitioner.”

While the CPSS website lists his clinic as the Integrated Wellness & Health Balance Center on 9th Ave. North, documents outlining the submissions of his lawyer state Kabongo has relocated to the 9th Avenue North Medical Clinic, where he is practicing under supervision.

bharder@postmedia.com

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