Three More Medical Aesthetic Clinics Fined NT$500,000, Suspended for Six Months for Illegal Recording

(CNA reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, June 4) The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) today released the latest list of medical aesthetic clinics found to be illegally recording patients. As of now, a total of 1,356 clinics have been inspected nationwide. Three new violators were added, including two in New Taipei City and one in Tainan City. All three were fined NT$500,000 and ordered to suspend operations for six months. The total number of penalized clinics has now reached 20.

MOHW Department of Medical Affairs Specialist Kuo Wei-chung stated today that the three violating clinics are Banqiao Aierli and Xinzhuang Guangze in New Taipei City, and Yan Yiming in Tainan City. For medical institutions found to have installed pinhole cameras or other covert recording devices, local health bureaus have imposed uniform penalties according to Article 108, Paragraph 6 of the Medical Care Act: a fine of NT$500,000 and a six-month suspension of operations.

Following a series of suspected illegal recording incidents at medical aesthetic clinics, the MOHW Department of Medical Affairs convened a meeting on May 13 and reached a four-point consensus on recording in medical institutions. The consensus includes: a strict ban on the use of covert recording devices; normal cameras for public safety are allowed in public areas; recording in low-privacy spaces like general consultation rooms is permitted with consent; and recording is generally prohibited in high-privacy spaces like operating rooms.

Local health bureaus have launched joint large-scale inspections. Kuo Wei-chung explained the latest progress in a telephone interview with media today, stating that 1,356 clinics have been inspected since May 11.

Kuo stated that this inspection campaign is expected to last about one month, focusing on the installation of hidden pinhole cameras inside clinics. Inspections are ongoing in various counties and cities. Penalized operators will be announced sequentially on the "MOHW Medical Aesthetics Zone" single window portal for public inquiry. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150604