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READ MORE: Monash IVF mistakenly transfers the wrong embryo
The CEO of embattled Monash
IVF
has resigned after the
fertility
company admitted to its second embryo bungle in as many months.
Monash IVF Group chief executive Michael Knaap stood down on Thursday from the role he had held since 2019.
Chief financial officer Malik Jainudeen was appointed as acting CEO.
‘His deep understanding of the organisation’s operations positions him as a steady and capable leader during this transitional period,’ Monash IVF said in a statement.
Monash IVF said Knaap had ‘led the organisation through a period of significant growth and transformation, and we thank him for his years of dedicated service’.
His resignation comes after Monash shares slumped 20 per cent on Tuesday after a statement was shared with the ASX about the clinic’s second bungle.
Monash said a patient at its Clayton clinic in eastern Melbourne was supposed to receive an embryo from her partner, but instead had her own embryo transferred to her on June 5.
It has launched an investigation and apologised to the couple involved.
‘Commencing immediately, Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice,’ the statement said.
‘Monash IVF has extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple, and we continue to support them.’
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the mix up was ‘completely unacceptable’.
‘It’s very clear to me that the board of Monash IVF need to have a very good look at what’s going on,’ Ms Thomas said.
‘Clearly their clinical governance standards are not what they should be. This will be quite devastating for the couple at the heart of this.’
It follows Monash IVF’s admission in April that an error at a Brisbane clinic led to a Queensland mother unknowingly delivering another couple’s baby.
The clinic had mistakenly implanted her with another couple’s embryo.
The two families impacted by the bungle are reportedly heartbroken and considering legal action against the fertility giant.
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