Brian Jeffrey
Healthcare Facility Violations and Penalties
The regulatory body has imposed fines on medical facilities that breached healthcare regulations, including operating without proper licensing, employing unlicensed staff, not adhering to professional standards, and false advertising claims.
On December 6, Ratio Medical Co., Ltd. faced penalties for misleading advertising related to La Ratio Aesthetic Institute (182 Dien Bien Phu Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City). The institute was cited for using claims such as “the best” in their advertisements without legitimate evidence.
Earlier, in October 2023, La Ratio Aesthetic Institute was fined VND 45 million for advertising products and services labeled as “special” without necessary approvals from the authorities.
Furthermore, Hoan Cau General Clinic (operated by Hoan Cau Medical Services Co., Ltd. at 80-82 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5) incurred a fine for several issues, including healthcare workers not wearing name badges, incomplete medical recording, and advertising services without proper scope as per their license.
The clinic received a fine of VND 44.7 million and was subjected to a three-month license suspension, marking its second suspension due to prior violations in August, which resulted in a one-month license suspension.
Shynh House Co., Ltd. (49 Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1) also faced penalties for various infractions, including mislabeling departments and rooms according to their licensed documents, not displaying medical service prices, and employing unregistered medical practitioners.
The Department acted on public complaints and carried out surprise inspections at 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).
At Hong Cuong General Clinic, multiple violations were noted, including improper registration of medical practitioners, inadequate storage of medical records, and misleading advertisements. Due to numerous public complaints, the clinic will be monitored closely.
At the Heart and Hand Traditional Medicine Clinic, violations included not keeping outpatient medical records, lacking approval for advertising, missing mandatory signage information, employing unlicensed practitioners, operating outside legal requirements despite having an operating license, and not adhering to specified operating hours.
The Department of Health reaffirmed its dedication to investigating and enforcing actions against clinics and practitioners that violate regulations. Penalty details and enforcement actions will be available on the Department’s official website.
Linh Thuy
