On February 11, 2026, the Administrative Court of Saint-Martin delivered a ruling concerning the urgent suspension of a ministerial order that revoked a medical practitioner's license. The case involved Dr. G. E., whose authorization to practice medicine in France, specifically in the field of orthopedic surgery and traumatology, was withdrawn by the Minister of Health on November 24, 2025.
Dr. G. E., a French national originally from Côte d'Ivoire and a graduate of the University of Guinea, had been practicing as a surgeon at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital in Saint-Martin since May 2013. He held the position of head of the surgery department. The withdrawal of his medical license was based on information from the dean of the University Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry, questioning the validity of his qualifications.
Dr. G. E. filed an urgent request to suspend the execution of the ministerial order, arguing that the decision severely impacted his professional reputation and financial interests. He contended that the order was issued without respecting the principle of adversarial proceedings, lacked sufficient motivation, and was based on an error of law, as the alleged fraud was not established.
The Administrative Court of Saint-Martin rejected Dr. G. E.'s request for suspension. The court determined that the urgency condition was not met, as the applicant did not demonstrate that the execution of the order would cause serious and immediate harm to his interests. Additionally, the court found no serious doubt regarding the legality of the ministerial order, noting that the withdrawal was based on substantial evidence questioning the authenticity of the applicant's qualifications.
This ruling underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of professional qualifications in the medical field and the necessity for practitioners to comply with regulatory standards. It also highlights the judiciary's role in balancing individual rights with public health and safety considerations.
