The inspectorate issued administrative fines to facilities violating regulations in medical examination and treatment. These violations included operating without a license, unlicensed practitioners, non-compliance with professional standards, and false advertising.

On December 6, the Department fined Ratio Medical Co., Ltd. for advertising violations at its facility La Ratio Aesthetic Institute (182 Dien Bien Phu Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City).

The facility’s advertisements used superlative terms like "the best" without legal documentation to substantiate the claims, violating advertising regulations.

Previously, in October 2023, the La Ratio Aesthetic Institute was fined VND 45 million for promoting products and services categorized as “special” without obtaining approval from competent authorities.

Additionally, the Hoan Cau General Clinic (operated by Hoan Cau Medical Services Co., Ltd. at 80-82 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5) was fined for: Healthcare workers failing to wear name badges; Incomplete medical records; Advertising services without including the scope of practice stated in their operating license.

The clinic was fined VND 44.7 million and had its license to operate suspended for three months. This is the second suspension for the clinic, which was also penalized in August for similar violations, resulting in a one-month suspension of its license.

The Department also fined Shynh House Co., Ltd. (49 Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1) for: Incorrectly naming departments and rooms compared to their licensed operating documents; Failing to display pricing for medical services; Employing unregistered practitioners for medical examinations and treatments.

Following public complaints, the Department conducted surprise inspections of: Hong Cuong General Clinic (87-89 Thanh Thai Street, Ward 14, District 10) and Heart and Hand Traditional Medicine Clinic (173/114 Khuong Viet Street, Phu Trung Ward, Tan Phu District).

Findings at Hong Cuong General Clinic: The clinic was found guilty of repeated violations, including failing to register medical practitioners, improperly storing medical records, and misleading advertisements. This clinic, with numerous complaints from the public, is now under frequent monitoring by the Department.

Findings at Heart and Hand Traditional Medicine Clinic: Failing to create outpatient medical records for traditional medicine patients; Lacking approval for advertising content; Signage missing mandatory legal information; Employing unlicensed medical practitioners; Operating without meeting legal requirements despite holding an operating license; Not adhering to operating hours specified in their license.

The Department of Health emphasized its commitment to investigating and strictly handling violations by clinics and practitioners. Details of penalties and enforcement actions will be made public on the Department's official website.

Linh Thuy