Canadian woman, 59, suffers prolonged pain after haemorrhoids surgery by 'leading expert', dies by suicide

A 59-year-old woman in Ontario, Canada, reportedly died by suicide in August 2025 after she suffered intense pain following treatments for haemorrhoids.

According to the Toronto Star, Mei Lam could not endure the pain, which deteriorated and spread to her private areas after two laser surgeries in 2024.

Ashwin Maharaj, the doctor who recommended the treatments, was investigated and had his medical license suspended.

However, he has denied any wrongdoing.

Started after taking blood pressure medication

In March 2024, Lam went to see Maharaj for the pain and was diagnosed with haemorrhoids.

He then recommended a laser treatment costing CA$1,600 (S$1,484), which was not covered by local health insurance.

Despite this, Lam went through with the procedure, believing it was the "best option" based on online information and his "assurances".

The pain "became worse than before the surgery".

She underwent another laser surgery in a follow-up consultation in June 2024.

She later suffered pain which spread from her rectum to her vagina and urethra.

It persisted even after she took antibiotics and underwent multiple tests, including swabs, urine tests, physical exams, ultrasounds, and pelvic floor MRI.

Tests did not successfully identify the cause, and she was informed that the haemorrhoids were still present.

Had limited mobility and lost weight in final months

Lam then suspected that Maharaj had damaged the thin tissue between her vagina and rectum during the operation.

She lodged a formal complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), and also told them that she was unable to walk or sit down without feeling pain for months after the treatment.

She informed the regulator on several occasions that the constant pain was pushing her to the brink, saying that she doesn't "know how long" she "can live like this".

Lam had limited mobility, lost weight, and had to take three types of medication daily to manage her pain, which did not subside.

Her partner, Hoc Phung, later discovered that she had slammed her head against a wall in desperation, leaving a dent.

Affected mental state

Lam was in touch with Maharaj's former patients who also reportedly suffered injuries from his treatments.

Taissa Pavliuc, 32, alerted the CPSO after another patient noticed Lam's mental state.

Up until July 2025, Lam had called the CPSO over two days about her suicidal tendencies.

However, there were apparently no calls from the regulator after she reported suicidal ideation again that month.

According to the Toronto Star, the CPSO said that it "takes any expressions of distress or suicidal thoughts seriously" and has procedures in place which prioritise safety, support, and timely escalation to appropriate resources.

Lam took her own life at the end of August 2025.

Before she died, Phung said that Lam had pleaded to understand what had been done to her so she could "fix it" and had also asked the CPSO this.

A CPSO spokesperson said: "We are saddened that an individual may have died by suicide and extend our thoughts to all who may be affected by this tragic situation. Although privacy obligations limit what we can share about this specific case, we want to emphasise that these matters are reviewed carefully to ensure appropriate action to support complainants who may be at risk."

Two other patients, including Pavliuc, also reported feeling suicidal to a CPSO investigator due to the pain from Maharaj's treatments, but did not receive follow-up or support.

Doctor under investigation, denies wrongdoing

Maharaj's medical licence was suspended due to disciplinary charges tied to allegations from Lam and multiple other patients who reported lasting pain from his treatments.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Maharaj was revealed to have continued treating patients even after the CPSO concluded he had been "essentially experimenting on patients without their consent".

In another article, the Toronto Star described the complaints as painting Maharaj as "allegedly incompetent" and "unnecessarily aggressive" in his treatments.

Many new patients, including Lam, said that they were unaware that he was under regulatory supervision.

Maharaj was billed online as "a leading expert in minimally invasive haemorrhoid and anorectal surgery".

His lawyer said that Maharaj "cannot comment on his care to or interactions with patients, given his obligation to maintain the confidentiality of patient health information".

The CPSO said that it is legally restricted from disclosing details after the death of a complainant, and must determine next-of-kin status based on documentation.

On the other hand, Phung said that no one had asked him for such documents.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

National mindline.sg: 1771 (24 hours)

National mindline.sg (WhatsApp texting): 66691771

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Centre for Domestic Employees: 1800 225 5233 (24 hours)

Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training: 1800 339 4357 (24 hours)

HOME: 1800 797 7977 or +65 9787 3122 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)

Top photos via Toronto Star & Maharaj/FB