Dr Charlie Teo has defended the cost of his surgery after critics took aim at the “disturbing” number of crowdfunding campaigns seeking money for patients to undergo his high-risk operations.

The Sydney neurosurgeon appeared on breakfast television on Wednesday to hit back at claims his fees were excessive.

“I don’t think it’s unethical to raise money to use the private health system,” Dr Teo said during an interview on Today.

“The actual concept of raising money to try and afford a doctor that doesn’t work in your system or doesn’t work in your state, I don’t think is unethical.”