More than 500 women have filed a massive lawsuit against a Virginia hospital and its top executives, accusing them of turning a blind eye while a trusted doctor carried out years of unnecessary and damaging surgeries. As per several local media reports, the 510 women are seeking $10 million (Rs 82 crore) each from Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, alleging that hospital leaders knew about former doctor Javaid Perwaiz’s actions but failed to stop them.

Perwaiz is already serving a 59-year prison sentence for medical fraud. While his conviction is well known, the new lawsuit shifts the spotlight to the hospital’s leadership and their alleged role in allowing the abuse to continue.

Lawsuit targets hospital leadership, not just the doctor

The women allege that executives at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center were aware of Perwaiz’s pattern of unnecessary operations and still allowed him to continue practicing. According to the lawsuit, hospital authorities did not take timely action to protect patients, even as warning signs mounted.

The plaintiffs argue that the damage they suffered could have been prevented if the hospital had intervened earlier.

Unnecessary hysterectomies and invasive procedures

For decades, Javaid Perwaiz told his patients they faced serious and immediate health risks and needed surgery. Many of those procedures were invasive and irreversible. They included hysterectomies and dilation and curettage surgeries, commonly known as D&C, which are used after miscarriages or to treat heavy bleeding.

In several cases, Perwaiz even falsified pregnant patients’ due dates so he could induce labour early to suit his own schedule.

Medicaid patients and millions in fraudulent billing

Most of Perwaiz’s patients were covered by Medicaid. Investigators found that the more surgeries he performed, the more money he made. Over a span of 10 years, more than $20 million was billed through fraudulent claims.

During this period, Perwaiz lived an extravagant lifestyle. He owned five luxury cars and regularly shopped at high-end stores, funded by money earned from unnecessary medical procedures.

Long-lasting trauma for patients

The impact on patients was severe and life-altering. Many women were left traumatised after undergoing surgeries they did not need. Some suffered permanent physical harm, including incontinence and the inability to have sex.

The emotional toll, according to the lawsuit, continues to affect many of the victims years later.

FBI tip exposed the malpractice

The case came to light after the FBI received a tip that women were arriving at the hospital without fully understanding what operations they were about to undergo. This triggered a deeper investigation into Perwaiz’s practices.