– I have worked with this client group for 37 years, and no one has ever complained. So the whole thing is a bit incomprehensible, says a slightly disappointed Benestad to news. She reacts strongly to the decision of the Norwegian Health Authority. – This (decision) is based on reports of concern from people who do not know the subject in question, objects the doctor. It was last autumn that the Norwegian Health Authority started an investigation into Benestad. The background was messages of concern that were sent to the State Administrator in Agder. According to TV 2, the reports of concern come from GPs. Among other things, Benestad allegedly failed to refer patients with gender incongruence to the National Hospital, which has the national responsibility for investigation and treatment. This is not something Benestad has denied. – The cases concern, among other things, the treatment of patients with gender incongruity, requisitioning of addictive drugs, obligation to provide information and record keeping, said county doctor in Agder, Aase Aamland, to Fædrelandsvennen in connection with the notice last year. news has been in contact with the State Administrator in Agder on Wednesday afternoon, but they have not had the opportunity to be interviewed or comment on the matter. Benestad warns that he will appeal the decision to the Norwegian Health Authority. Photo: Ola Bjørlo Strande / news – Creating a very dangerous situation Now the Norwegian Health Authority has concluded that Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad cannot continue as a doctor. An upset Benestad says he will appeal the decision. – Since I started as a doctor in 1977, I have not received a single complaint from a client. Not this time either. The complaints come from outside and come from unqualified quarters. The separation from the Norwegian Health Authority is equally unqualified and does not take into account the fact that many statements of support have been received. – What is happening now is that the Norwegian Health Authority is creating a very dangerous situation for the health of those in question. It’s not primarily about me. For many years, Benestad has offered hormone therapy at its doctor’s office. This is a treatment that, after investigation, is given to trans people who experience a discrepancy between their gender identity and birth sex, also called gender incongruence. – We are shocked. Benestad is himself a transgender person, and for 37 years has treated people from all over the country. Now that the Norwegian Health Authority has stripped him of his doctor’s licence, he also loses the ability to write prescriptions. The sexologist and the doctor have been given three weeks to respond to the decision. – I’m not particularly worried about myself, my plan was to step down when I turned 75, so I’m doing perfectly well, says the 73-year-old. – But this is very, very dangerous for those of my clients who are completely dependent on me, he says. – I am terribly afraid of them. Isak Bradley, who is the leader of the Patient Organization for Gender Incongruence (PKI) reacts strongly to the decision of the Norwegian Health Authority. – We are shocked, and very concerned about what will now happen with access to health care primarily for Benestad’s patients but also the patient group as a whole in the time to come, says Bradley to Blikk. The association for gender and sexuality diversity writes that they are aware that the decision will be appealed. The association wants to fight against the Norwegian Health Authority’s decision.
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– The whole thing is a bit incomprehensible – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
