SINGAPORE — Elgin Ng, a former photographer at the National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS), has been sentenced to two years and three months in jail for taking over 600 voyeuristic photographs of female patients. The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including voyeurism and distributing images without consent, with the court considering a total of 30 charges during the sentencing.
Details of the Offences
Between June 2021 and May 2024, Ng exploited his position to capture unauthorized images of 25 patients, aged between 13 and 38. His role involved photographing patients’ teeth for surgical purposes, which he turned into an opportunity to take inappropriate pictures.
- Ng used an internal NDCS system, MiPACS, to view and download patients’ faces.
- He fabricated excuses to take pictures of patients not scheduled for photography, claiming that their dentists had requested it.
- Using top-down angles, he deliberately breached NDCS protocols intended to protect patient modesty, such as providing a blue board for coverage and requiring a female colleague to be present.
Investigation and Sentencing
The offences came to light after one victim lodged a complaint on 16 April 2024, leading to a formal inquiry by NDCS. Despite resigning before the inquiry concluded, the centre tightened its photography processes, implementing stricter oversight on patient interactions.
During the court proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin highlighted the severity of Ng’s actions as they occurred within a healthcare setting. The District Judge, Ng Cheng Thiam, dismissed the defence’s plea for leniency, noting the public trust broken by Ng’s misconduct.
Legal Implications
Under Singaporean law, Ng faced significant penalties for voyeurism, with a maximum sentence of two years. Distribution of voyeuristic images carries a harsher maximum sentence of up to five years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for enforcement of stringent protocols to protect patient privacy in healthcare environments.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the importance of ongoing reviews and audits in healthcare practices to safeguard against such breaches of trust.