VietNamNet Bridge - Detecting "patients" in a room by inspectors of the HCM City Health Department, a “doctor” who healed by amulets in Binh Thanh district fiercely shouted and cast out the inspectors from his home.

The amulet to heal cerebral palsy that was pasted on the forehead of a health inspector by “doctor” Giang.

On Tuesday, September 10, informed by the people and some patients who were treated by this “doctor,” an inspection team of HCM City Health Department was present in an apartment on Nguyen Cuu Van road, ward 17, Binh Thanh district, where "doctor" Giang was practicing healing by the special method "pasting amulets."

In the role of a patient of cerebral palsy, an inspector was examined by the “doctor.” After asking a few questions, Mr. Giang decided to treat the disease by "where the pain is, the amulet will be pasted to." He stuck an amulet on the forehead of the inspector.

Having enough evidence for the unscientific treatment, the inspection team appeared and required a medical check at this illegal healing facility.

"Doctor" Giang was then said to "react violently." According to the inspectors, Giang was very angry and cast out the inspectors. Giang and his family said the inspectors did not have the right to check his home.

Giang confirmed that he did not collect charges and the patients could pay or not pay and he said he did not do anything wrong. When the inspection team asked him to show off his professional qualification degrees, he admitted not having any degree nor permit for medical care practice.

Facing the fierce reaction of Giang and his family, the inspection team called the local police, asking for help but the police refused to assist, saying that the inspection team had not informed them ahead of the inspection.

According to representatives of the HCM City Department of Health, healing activities are not prohibited if the owners of the medical facilities have professional qualifications and register at the agency. However, healing by amulets is not allowed because there is no scientific basis for it. This way of treatment can affect the health of patients, making the disease worsen.

According to denunciations of a number of patients treated at home by Giang, Giang asked them to declare their diseases and then stuck amulets with Chinese handwriting to the places of "sickness." Those who suffered from headache would have the amulet pasted on the head, those with limbs diseases having the amulets pasted on the limbs. The treatment often lasted from 2 to 3 hours.

The Health Department’s inspectors said although Giang did not collect fees but his treatment is illegal and Giang was asked to stop healing from September 10.

"With regard to the non-cooperation of the Ward 17 police, the Health Department will report to the Binh Thanh district police," an official of the Health Department says.

Le Ha