Dr Tchero wins his case

Dr Huidi Tchero was accused of practising his speciality without a valid degree. A letter from the dean of the University of Conakry, dated September 2025, stated that Huidi Tchero did indeed hold a degree in medicine, but not a specialised degree (DES) in general surgery, with a focus on orthopaedics and traumatology. The Basse-Terre public prosecutor's office opened an investigation in October 2025 and the doctor was suspended as a precautionary measure by the Regional Health Agency (ARS). Following the ministerial decree of 24 November prohibiting him from practising medicine in France, he was dismissed without compensation by the Louis Constant Flemming Hospital the day after the decision.

A contested ministerial decision

In an interview given in early January to our colleagues at SOS Radio, the doctor and his lawyer, Johanna Mathurin, expressed their intention to have the decision overturned, arguing that the doctor had complied with all procedures and passed all the exams and knowledge tests required to practise. As for the fake speciality diploma, she stated that Huidi Tchero had obtained a certificate of specialised studies in Guinea-Conakry, equivalent to the current DES (diplôme d'études spécialisées, or specialised studies diploma). According to the lawyer, the ministerial decree was not based on any legal grounds, but solely on the letter from the dean of the University of Conakry. A petition was therefore filed with the court on 13 January to request the annulment of this decree.
The case was examined by the Administrative Court of Saint-Martin on 4 February, which handed down its conclusion on Wednesday 11 February. The judge in summary proceedings ruled that the fraudulent nature of the diplomas had not been proven and questioned the legality of the ministerial decision. According to the provisions of the Public Health Code, a specialised studies diploma (DES) or even a specialised studies certificate (CES) was not required to obtain a licence to practise: only a medical degree was required. Therefore, the court emphasised that the minister "could only withdraw this authorisation within four months, except in cases of fraud". However, "the investigation did not reveal any fraud". The court also noted that the Ministry of Health did not produce any defence brief and was neither present nor represented at the hearing. The judges considered that the ministry had misjudged the situation and taken a measure that was deemed disproportionate. The order was therefore suspended.
It should be noted, however, that this interim order does not close the case. The criminal investigation opened by the Basse-Terre public prosecutor's office is still ongoing. To date, the Marigot hospital has not reversed the doctor's dismissal, which remains in effect.