An Allegedly ‘Grossly Negligent’ Surgery Exposes Gaps in Europe’s System to Monitor Medical Licensing

An investigative report details how German patient Thomas Gölkel suffered alleged negligent ankle surgery by surgeon Jerlan Omarchanov, whose medical license was revoked in Norway but remained active in Germany. It exposes gaps in the EU’s IMI alert system and Germany’s decentralized oversight—many states reportedly failed to open alerts—allowing disciplined doctors to continue practicing, and notes calls for a national register to strengthen patient protection.